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: Director of Communications
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Reporting to: Executive Director
- Requisition Number: JR07646
The Director of Communications reports directly to the Executive Director of the Crime and Education Labs and is a part of the senior leadership team, including supporting the Faculty Director. The Director contributes to developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining the Crime and Education Labs’ strategic growth. The Director identifies and implements ideas and initiatives that enhance the organization’s impact through collaboration, targeted communication, strategic planning, and sustained engagement with external partners in key communities, with funders and other stakeholders, and with the public at large. The Director leads overall strategic planning and implementation, communications, and external engagement efforts for the organization and will focus on accelerating organizational performance through cohesive strategy planning and execution, knowledge management and the implementation of organizational tools and processes for tracking and communicating the impact of the Crime and Education Labs’ work.
- Job Title: Project Associate
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR07828
The University of Chicago Crime Lab is seeking a Project Associate with strong project management skills. 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: Project Associate (Data)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR07837
The University of Chicago Crime 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 designed to test the effectiveness of promising interventions.
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. The Crime Lab is also hiring a Project Associate to support with project management responsibilities. For more information on the project management role, please see the “to apply” section.
- Job Title: Research Analyst
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Reporting to: Director of Data Analytics
- Requisition Number: JR07831
The UChicago Crime and Education Labs 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 & 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.
- Job Title: Data Research Assistant (Summer Internship)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR07842
The temporary 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. Please note that our office is located in downtown Chicago at 33 N. LaSalle Street.
- Job Title: Policy Research Assistant (Summer Internship)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR07847
The temporary 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. Please note that our office is located in downtown Chicago at 33 N. LaSalle Street.
- 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.
Crime Lab New York
- Job Title: Summer Data Scientist (Summer Internship)
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR07835
The New York office of the Crime Lab and Education Lab is seeking a full-time Summer Intern with strong statistical data analysis skills and the ability to use Python or R.
The Summer Data Scientist will support large-scale criminal justice and education projects that rigorously research ways to prevent crime, increase fairness, and improve outcomes for all New Yorkers. Working in close coordination with Crime and Education Lab’s Senior Data Scientists and Research Analysts, the Summer Data Scientist will assist on large-scale research projects involving data engineering, machine learning, and causal inference. Applicants with a preference between machine learning and causal inference projects should indicate their preference in the cover letter of their application.
Examples of our past projects in New York City include using machine learning methods to build an algorithmic decision aid for judges, a randomized controlled trial to test the effects of streetlights on crime, and a randomized controlled trial of behavioral science interventions to improve defendant attendance at court appearances for low-level offenses. This position offers opportunities to work directly with leading social policy researchers and government agency staff.
- Job Title: Research Director
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR06861
The University of Chicago Crime and Education 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 research projects in association with faculty members and research teams focused on reducing crime and violence and improving educational performance and attainment and other life outcomes for disadvantaged youth in addition to facilitating technical assistance work for government partners 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 will report to the Executive Director and 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.
We are currently recruiting for an Research Director in Chicago and a Research Director in New York.
Health Lab
- Job Title: Executive Director
- Desired Start Date: 10.25.2019
- Requisition Number: JR06882
The Role:
The UChicago Urban Labs is seeking a full-time Executive Director to lead the Health Lab. Reporting to Faculty Director David Meltzer and supporting Health Lab co-Director Harold Pollack and other Health Lab faculty, the Executive Director is the operational leader of the Health Lab. The Executive Director manages relationships with city and state agencies, funders, and key contacts within the University of Chicago. Currently, the Executive Director leads a team of 10 staff members and manages an annual budget approaching $1,500,000. The role requires leadership and management within the organization and with external partners. The Executive Director is the principal spokesperson and lead advocate for the Health Lab’s work.
This position requires a person who can work as a part of a small research team running multiple projects concurrently. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago, as well as a team of administrative staff, project managers, research analysts, and student research assistants.
Responsibilities:
• Coordinate major activities of the Health Lab, a research center conducting rigorous scientific inquiry to address fundamental urban health challenges, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society.
• Cultivate and manage key stakeholder relationships to advance the Health Lab’s mission including with health policymakers, community-based nonprofits, scholars, public agencies, hospital leaders, and philanthropists.
• Develop and implement a robust fundraising initiative to diversify sources of revenue and raise funds from federal, local, and private sources.
• Act as principal spokesperson for the Health Lab, including outreach and communications.
• Manage Health Lab budget and supervise Health Lab staff.
Competencies: The ideal candidate will be an effective and energetic leader, who has passion and expertise in social determinants of health, healthcare delivery, and criminal justice, as well as a knowledge of rigorous research methods. The ideal candidate will also show a commitment to working with community partners and government agencies.
Education:
• Master's degree or PhD in public health, economics, sociology, public policy or other relevant social/mathematical science field required.
Experience:
• A minimum of five year’s progressively responsible work experience and management in the public or non-profit sector.
• Experience working on field experiments preferred.
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials preferred
Required Documents:
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample
• Reference Contact Information
- Job Title: Research Director
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR06923
The Role:
The University of Chicago Health Lab is seeking a full-time Research Director to contribute to the scientific and intellectual leadership for the Health Lab. The Research Director will partner with Health Lab faculty directors and affiliated faculty within and outside the University of Chicago to provide scientific direction for a portfolio of applied research projects and to ensure the rigor and quality of the Lab's work.
Responsibilities:
• Work with Health Lab faculty to direct a portfolio of applied research projects focused on urban health, including at the interactions of health and criminal justice involvement, and health and homelessness, as well as incorporating tools from predictive analytics and machine learning across the areas in which the Health Lab is doing work
• Manage and mentor research and project staff, providing scientific direction and ensuring the rigor and quality of all work
• Contribute to strategic conversations about which new projects and initiatives should be taken on by the Health Lab
• Work collaboratively with practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement applied research projects
• Contribute to, and be able to lead, development of scientific content and research proposals
• Disseminate research findings to both research and practitioner/policy maker audiences
• Serve as a member of the Health Lab’s senior leadership team, with primary reporting to the Health Lab Faculty Director and reporting to the Faculty Co-Director and Executive Director
Competencies:
• Expertise in all aspects of the research design, methods, and evaluation of research projects in the area of health policy or expertise in machine learning/predictive analytics required. Expertise in both preferred
• Interest in finding and testing innovative solutions to urban problems
• Content expertise in workforce development, healthcare delivery, or financial stability preferred
Education:
• Ph.D. in public policy, economics, statistics, computer science, or other relevant field by fall 2019 required
Poverty Lab
- Job Title: Finance and Operations Manager
- Desired Start Date: TBC
- Requisition Number: JR07779
The University of Chicago Poverty Lab is seeking a full-time Finance and Operations Manager to support the Executive Director in building a nimble and high-functioning organization. The Finance and Operations Manager will report directly to the Executive Director, and will be supported by finance staff at the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Harris School of Public Policy. This is a great opportunity for an early career professional to learn about finance and operations in a fast-paced “startup” environment and to contribute to an innovative, mission-driven organization. The Finance and Operations Manager with be responsible for budgeting and financial projections; office operations; and grant compliance.
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!
