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
Urban Labs
- Job Title: Data Research Assistant (Academic Year Internship)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: See Job Description
The temporary Research Assistant academic year internship is a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of policy research and to develop research skills. This position will be part-time for approximately 10-15 hours per week. Please note that our office is located in downtown Chicago at 33 N. LaSalle Street.
- Job Title: Policy Research Assistant (Academic Year Internship)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: See Job Description
The temporary Research Assistant academic-year internship is a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of policy research and to develop research skills. The position will be part-time for approximately 10-15 hours per week. Please note that our office is located in downtown Chicago at 33 N. LaSalle Street.
Crime & Education Labs
- Job Title: Human Resources Coordinator
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR05526
The Human Resources (HR) Coordinator will perform a diverse set of administrative duties in support of the day-to-day operations of a policy research organization. This person will be responsible for posting jobs, maintaining the HR Information System (HRIS), processing payroll changes, maintaining employee records, time and absence management, and related talent lifecycle functions for all employees. The HR Coordinator will help streamline processes and participate in HR activities to support smooth and seamless HR operations. This is a fast-paced, dynamic environment and an excellent opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization.
- Job Title: Research Director (Machine Learning)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR06174
The University of Chicago Crime Lab is seeking a full-time Research Director to contribute scientific and intellectual leadership to the organization and our work. The primary role of the Research Director is to direct a portfolio of applied machine learning projects in association with faculty members and research teams. These projects will focus on reducing crime and violence and improving educational performance, attainment, and other life outcomes for disadvantaged youth in addition to facilitating technical assistance work for government and strategic partners. In this role, the Research Director will provide scientific direction on all projects, ensure the rigor and quality of all work, manage and mentor research and project staff, and help to set and contribute to organizational priorities as part of the management team. The Research Director is a leadership-level position and will work collaboratively with senior faculty members at the University of Chicago and elsewhere, other research directors, and with partner agencies. The Research Director will contribute to the scientific content of research proposals and will assist the ED and other faculty affiliates in supporting fundraising, dissemination and policymaker outreach activities. The Research Director will also contribute to strategic conversations about which new projects and initiatives the Crime and Education Lab should take on as well as management of staff and leadership on organizational initiatives.
This position is based in Chicago, IL.
- Job Title: Embedded Analyst
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR006355
The UChicago Crime Lab is seeking an Analyst with strong technical and communication skills for a unique role working in close partnership with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to enhance the Bureau of Detectives (BoD)’s capability to increase clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings. The Analyst will split time embedded in three CPD Area Technology Centers (ATC) and the UChicago Crime Lab office in downtown Chicago. While in the ATCs the analyst will work alongside CPD officers and detectives to support technology improvements, data analysis, and best practices in investigations. Working as part of a larger Crime Lab team, the Analyst will analyze BoD data to identify historical trends, determine the effectiveness of new and existing initiatives, and enable the BoD to meet the needs of local communities – all in an effort to improve clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings in Chicago.
The successful candidate will have experience in supporting law enforcement efforts in the field, or the capacity and interest to do so. The candidate should also be able to apply a variety of statistical modeling and data analysis techniques to datasets in real-world settings. 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.
The Analyst will work in the Urban Labs Loop office approximately 40% of the week and will be embedded in CPD stations the remaining 60% of the week. We expect to adjust these relative percentages over time.
- Job Title: Senior Data Scientist
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR06377
The University of Chicago Crime Lab team is seeking a senior data scientist to work on our portfolio of projects applying machine learning and econometrics to pressing challenges in public policy, education and criminal justice. The senior data scientist will work on all aspects of a project -- ranging from raw data cleaning and basic descriptive analysis to developing robust predictive models and evaluating the effects of public policies. Working with PhD-level computer scientists and economists, the senior data scientist will also have the opportunity to mentor other project staff and to contribute to the scientific-direction of our projects. The senior data scientist will also have the opportunity to serve as the in-house expert on some tools and techniques that are shared across a number of projects at our offices in New York and Chicago. This position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading researchers and policy-makers on projects with immediate real-world impact.
- Job Title: Data Scientist
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR06389
The University of Chicago Crime Lab team is seeking a data scientist to work on our portfolio of projects applying machine learning to public policy, particularly in the area of improving policing and police-community relations. We’re seeking a smart, motivated, and detail-oriented person to work on all parts of a project – all the way from cleaning and structuring raw data to developing predictive models and evaluating them in a randomized control trial.
The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading researchers at the University of Chicago and policy-makers on a project htat will have immediate real-world impact. You will collaborate closely with PhD-level computer science and economics researchers, as well as top-notch research mangers and Crime Lab leadership. This position is particularly well-suited for candidates who may be interested in pursuing a PhD in the future or data scientists who want to transition from industry to public policy research.
Health Lab
- Job Title: Research Scientist
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR05367
The Research Scientist will work closely with the Executive Director to ensure that the Health Lab data and analytics team is well positioned to conduct high quality, timely, and relevant analyses on applied research projects in support of our mission. To that end, the Research Scientist will oversee and support the Lab’s analytics team as well as develop and implement the infrastructure and systems needed to ensure the quality of the team’s work. He or she will also maintain a portfolio of applied analytic projects.
- Job Title: Research Analyst
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR05368
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.
- Job Title: Project Associate
- Desired Start Date: 08.15.2019
- Requisition Number: JR06098
The University of Chicago Health Lab is seeking a Project Associate to support large-scale social policy research projects. This person will work on a portfolio of projects designed to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of promising health interventions. The role will primarily focus on supporting the Supportive Release Center (SRC) study, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effectiveness of a post-release mental health intervention at the Cook County Jail. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago, government agency staff, and nonprofit partners, as well as a team of administrative staff, project managers, and student research assistants from the Chicago office. Note that while the start date is asap, exceptions can be made for individuals who are graduating from master’s programs in the Fall and are able to work approximately 20 hours per week until available to begin full-time.
Poverty Lab
- Job Title: Project Associate
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR05639
The University of Chicago Poverty Lab is seeking a Project Associate with strong technical skills to support large-scale social policy research projects. This person will work on a portfolio of projects studying the effectiveness of various kinds of income supports. This position requires an individual who is able to work as part of a small research teams running multiple projects concurrently while working directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago and University of Illinois, as well as an experienced team of data scientists, administrative staff, and project managers.
- Job Title: Project Associate (Community College Portfolio)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR05999
The University of Chicago Poverty Lab is seeking a Project Associate with strong technical skills to support large-scale social policy research projects. This person will work on a portfolio of projects studying the effectiveness of various kinds of supports for community college students. This position requires an individual who is able to work as part of a small research teams running multiple projects concurrently while working directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago and City Colleges of Chicago, as well as an experienced team of data scientists, administrative staff, and project managers. Full time applicants are preferred, but applicants that will start part time and transition to full time at a later date will also be considered.
- Job Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR04321
The University of Chicago Poverty Lab is seeking a full-time Post-Doctoral Fellow to build and lead a portfolio of applied research projects in association with faculty members and research teams focused on housing instability and workforce development in urban areas. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will be responsible for contributing to the scientific content of research proposals and will have the opportunity to author or co-author scientific articles. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will assist the Executive Director and other staff in dissemination and policymaker outreach activities, and will oversee the work of other research staff.
The Post-Doctoral Fellow will report to Poverty Lab Scientific Director Kelly Hallberg and work collaboratively with Marianne Bertrand, other researchers, staff and partner agencies. The term of this position is 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for up to 24 additional months.
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!
