Research Director

Department

UL Inclusive Economy Lab

About the Department

The University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab works with policymakers, organizations, and communities to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate that evidence into real policy changes that expand economic opportunity and improve lives. Program areas currently include college and career success, quality jobs, financial security, and housing stability.

Job Summary

The job manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource.

Responsibilities

• Develop and direct a portfolio of applied research projects focused on housing stability, financial security, or quality jobs.
• 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 the Inclusive Economy Lab should take on.
• Work collaboratively with practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement applied research projects.
• Contribute to the scientific content of research proposals.
• Disseminate research findings to both research and practitioner/policy maker audiences.
• Serve as a member of the Inclusive Economy Lab’s leadership team.
• Establishes standard operating procedures for continuous review and development of quality improvement plans for our unit. Advances research objectives through participation in professional committees and presentations. Ensures timely reporting of research data, following study specific guidelines.
• Manages, plans, and evaluates regulatory elements of multiple or complex research projects for a designated department, program, or central unit.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.

Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in all aspects of the research design, methods, and evaluation of research projects in the area of labor economics/social policy.
• Content expertise in college and career success, quality jobs, financial security, or housing stability.
• Demonstrated experience working with communities that have experienced segregation and disinvestment.
• Preference will be given to those with proven experience working with interdisciplinary research teams and agency and community stakeholders.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to engage thoughtfully with issues related to race, identity, and equity and to work across difference.
• Interest in finding and testing innovative solutions to urban problems.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)
• Writing sample (required)
• The names and email addresses of three potential professional references (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$ - $

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the…