Career Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the University of Chicago Urban Labs! Urban Labs has a strong commitment to using science in service of cities to improve the quality of urban life. We regularly seek out passionate, data-oriented, public service minded individuals to join our team.
For more information on Urban Labs' career opportunities, culture and recruiting process, please see the frequently asked question section below.
Current Opportunities
Crime & Education Labs
- Job Title: Research Manager
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Reporting to: Associate Director, Operations
- Requisition Number: JR20299
The Crime Lab and Education Lab are seeking a Research Manager to work on large-scale social policy experiments designed to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of youth violence preventions and interventions. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago and NYC-area universities, as well as a team of administrative staff, other project staff, research analysts, and student research assistants.
- Job Title: Project Associate (Project Management)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Reporting to: Senior Research Manager
- Requisition Number: JR20291
The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab are seeking a Project Associate with strong project management skills. This position requires an individual who is able to work as part of small research teams running multiple projects concurrently. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago and government agency staff, as well as an experienced team of analysts, data scientists, administrative staff, and project managers.
- Job Title: Associate Director, Tools for Thought Initiative
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Reporting to: Director of the Tools of Thought Initiative
- Requisition Number: JR18002
The Associate Director will play a key role in the operational delivery of the Tools of Thought Initiative, including building and maintaining relationships with development and testing partners, producing plans for the development of early product prototypes and testing of those prototypes, and developing and using systems to ensure the project stays on track.
This is a unique opportunity to combine the culture and pace of a startup with the rigor of a research environment. Like any good startup, fundamentally we want to produce a product that works and scales. Unlike most startups, we rely on foundational research to inform our product development and our goal is positive social impact. This role will involve continuous learning and adaptability to the changing needs of the initiative.
- Job Title: Product Manager
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Reporting to: Director of the Tools of Thought Initiative
- Requisition Number: JR17837
The Product Manager will play a key role in the operational delivery of the Tools of Thought Initiative, including building and maintaining relationships with development and testing partners, producing plans for the development of early product prototypes and testing of those prototypes, and developing and using systems to ensure the project stays on track.
This is a unique opportunity to combine the culture and pace of a startup with the rigor of a research environment. Like any good startup, fundamentally we want to produce a product that works and scales. Unlike most startups, we rely on foundational research to inform our product development and our goal is positive social impact. This role will involve continuous learning and adaptability to the changing needs of the initiative.
- Job Title: Temporary Project Management Research Assistant (Internship)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Reporting to: Research Manager
- Requisition Number: JR20264
The Temporary Project Management Research Assistant summer internship is a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of social policy research and to develop research skills. This position will be full-time for approximately 30 hours per week. This position will be hybrid and may require in-office days.
- Job Title: Temporary Data Research Assistant (Internship)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR20267
The Temporary Data Research Assistant summer internship is a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of policy research and to develop research skills. This position will be full-time for approximately 37.5 hours per week. This position will be hybrid and may require in office days.
- Job Title: Data Project Associate
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR20719
The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab are seeking a Data Project Associate with strong technical skills to work on large-scale social policy research projects designed to reduce crime and improve educational outcomes. The analyst will work on a portfolio of projects across a variety of areas that span both criminal justice and education. This position requires an individual who is able to work as a part of small research teams running multiple projects concurrently. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago and government agency staff, as well as an experienced team of data scientists, administrative staff, and project managers from the Chicago office.
- Job Title: Analytics Manager (Data Analytics)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR20784
The UChicago Crime Lab and Education Lab are seeking an experienced Analytics Manager (Data Analytics) with strong technical skills to work on large-scale social policy experiments designed to test the effectiveness of youth violence prevention and educational interventions. The Analytics Manager will work on a small portfolio of analytic projects across the areas of both criminal justice and education, develop and manage processes and procedures for collaborative data access and use, support broader organizational development activities, and manages other analysts. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers, at the University of Chicago and NYC-area universities, local city agency staff, as well as a team of administrative staff, other analysts, research managers, and student research assistants.
- Job Title: Associate Director, Data and Analytics
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR20973
The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab are seeking an Associate Director, Data and Analytics to provide training and professional development, to manage a growing team of Research Analysts, to support data work across projects, and to help build the infrastructure to ensure data are being used consistently, collaboratively, and securely across Crime Lab and Education Lab.
- Job Title: Associate Director, Project Management
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR20974
The University of Chicago Crime Lab and the Education Lab are seeking an Associate Director, Project Management to support the project management staff who ensure the rigor and effectiveness of our 80+ research projects and technical assistance endeavors. Working closely with the Director of Programs, this role will provide direct and indirect supervision to the project management team while working to provide the team with the resources and support needed to be successful. This role will work closely with Research Directors, members of the Leadership Team, and counterparts on the Analytics team; it is a great opportunity for research professionals who are looking to take on a larger leadership role and continue to develop their managerial goals.
- Job Title: Research Analyst
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR20398
The UChicago Crime Lab and Education Lab are seeking Research Analysts with strong technical skills to work on large-scale social policy research projects designed to reduce crime and improve educational outcomes. The analyst will work on a portfolio of projects across a variety of areas that span both criminal justice and education. The successful candidate will have experience in applying a variety of statistical modeling and data analysis techniques to datasets in real-world settings. From project inception to delivery, the Research Analyst will contribute to all facets of data collection and cleaning, model development, and implementation. This position requires an individual who is able to work as a part of small research teams running multiple projects concurrently. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago and NYC-area universities, local city agency staff, as well as a team of administrative staff, other analysts, research managers, and student research assistants. This position is part of the analyst career ladder at the Crime Lab and Education Lab. Research Analysts can grow their career and skills to a senior role as an Analytics Manager.
Health Lab
- Job Title: Research Analyst
- Desired Start Date: 04.01.2022
- Reporting to: Marilyn Sinkewicz
- Requisition Number: JR15190
Job Summary:
The Health Lab is seeking a Research Analyst with strong research, methodological, and programming skills to support social policy research projects. The Research Analyst will have the opportunity to apply tools and approaches from methodologies in both traditional econometrics and modern data science to original projects on mental illness and the criminal justice system, improving health outcomes and reducing costs, and preventing and ending homelessness. In addition to supporting field-based randomized controlled trials, the Research Analyst will contribute to a growing practice of advanced analytical solutions to provide data-driven technical assistance to governmental and non-profit partners.
The successful candidate will have experience in applying a variety of statistical modeling approaches to large datasets in real-world settings. From project inception to delivery, the Research Analyst will contribute to all facets of data collection & cleaning, model development, and implementation. This position requires an individual who is able to work as a part of small research teams running multiple projects concurrently. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago and local city agency staff, as well as a team of administrative staff, project managers, and student research assistants.
Responsibilities:
• Works with partners to identify analytical approaches to solve specific research questions
• Cleans, merges, and matches data, and runs sampling and randomization across multiple projects.
• Builds traditional statistical models and machine learning algorithms for a variety of research projects.
• Prepares results of models for memos, spreadsheets, and presentations targeting both policymakers and academic researchers
• Assists with literature reviews and drafting papers.
• Assists in writing grant proposals, preparing IRB proposals, and obtaining other research permits
• Other duties as assigned.
Competencies:
- Strong interest in social policy required.
- Strong background in applied statistics & modeling required.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines required.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail required.
- Ability to work both independently and as a team member required.
- Ability to work discretely with sensitive and confidential data required.
Education, Experience or Certifications:
- Master's degree in economics, sociology, public policy or other relevant social/mathematical science field required.
- Coursework in econometrics and/or mathematical statistics required.
- A minimum of two years of relevant data analysis experience required.
- Experience working with large and complex datasets strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with one or more languages such as R, Stata, Python, or SAS preferred.
- Experience with relational databases a plus.
- Experience working on field experiments preferred.
- Experience working with GIS and UNIX servers preferred.
- Familiarity with randomized controlled trials preferred.
- Experience with health and claims data highly appreciated.
Required Documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample
- Transcript
To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, three professional reference, writing sample, and transcript to Workday, requisition number
Please note, when applying, all documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application. Please be advised that this job announcement is formatted differently on the University of Chicago “Workday” Job Board.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
Inclusive Economy Lab
- Job Title: Research Associate
- Desired Start Date: TBC
The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, together with the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab, is seeking a full-time Research Associate to provide scientific and intellectual leadership for Inclusive Economy Lab projects. The Research Associate will serve as a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on a portfolio of Inclusive Economy Lab projects, ensuring the rigor and quality of the Lab's work.
- Job Title: Research Associate
- Desired Start Date: TBC
The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, together with the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab, is seeking a full-time Research Associate to provide scientific and intellectual leadership for Inclusive Economy Lab projects. The Research Associate will serve as a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on a portfolio of Inclusive Economy Lab projects, ensuring the rigor and quality of the Lab's work.
FAQs
For our three most common research roles--Project Associate, Research Manager, and Research Analyst--please refer to the responsibilities outlined below:
- Project Associates support large-scale social policy research projects designed to test the effectiveness of promising interventions by supporting a Research Manager or Research Analyst.
- Research Managers work directly with leading social science researchers, local policymakers, frontline practitioners, and a dedicated team of research analysts, data scientists, and administrative staff to implement ambitious field experiments.
- Research Analysts apply a variety of statistical modeling and data techniques to datasets in real-world settings, and contribute to all facets of data collection & cleaning, model development, analysis, and interpretation of results.
Urban Labs also hires for other positions in research, IT, and operations. We encourage you to view opportunities below.
You may be asked to submit multiple documents, including a Cover Letter, Writing Sample, and Unofficial Transcripts from the highest degree program received. Please see the job description for the exact documents required for that job. All materials should be submitted to the Workday system. Refer to the job requisition number on the job description to apply to the correct position.
All of our positions require a cover letter. In the cover letter, we encourage you to elaborate on your relevant achievements and describe your interest in the position.
We appreciate your interest in Urban Labs and look forward to reviewing your application. Due to the high-volume of applications that we receive, although we try, we may not be able to respond to all individual inquires.
Urban Labs employees are committed to creating a collaborative, high energy office that is open and welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds and life experiences, and prioritize developing a workforce that is as diverse as the city in which we work.
While we are affiliated with the University of Chicago, we are not located in Hyde Park. We have an office in downtown Chicago, which allows us to work more closely with our public sector partners.
In addition, Urban Labs also has an office in New York City that focuses on Crime and Education work. The New York Office works in close collaboration with the Crime and Education Labs in Chicago.
Urban Labs is a set of highly collaborative Labs and as such, we all work together towards a common mission of science in service of cities.
If you have questions about the Workday Application System, click here.
If you have specific questions that were not answered in our above frequently asked questions section, please contact us at urbanlabs@uchicago.edu Thanks!
