Strategic Research Specialist

About The Department

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago is a dynamic and stimulating place to work. We strive for the highest level of complex care for children from diagnosis and treatment; provide outstanding education and training for students, postgraduate scholars, and physicians; and nurture the research of Department scholars who seek to elucidate the causes of pediatric disease and identify promising new therapies.

In addition to our provision of clinical care at UChicago Medicine (UCM) Comer Children’s Hospital and at our regional sites, we are currently expanding our clinical care across Northern Illinois and Northwestern Indiana. In collaboration with our partners in the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA; Advocate Children’s Hospital, and North Shore University Health System) CCHA has responsibility for the care of almost 1 million children.

The Department has expanded its presence to numerous satellite sites of care across the region with the goal of providing care ‘close to home’ whenever feasible. Our mission is to improve the health of every child entrusted to us, in an inclusive environment that is committed to family-centered care, clinical excellence, impactful scholarship, effective disease prevention, and advocacy for the appropriate care of every child.

We are especially committed to the children on the South Side of Chicago and to altering the inequities in healthcare.

The University of Chicago's Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy/Immunology and Pediatric Pulmonology, seeks a Strategic Research Specialist to provide scientific and intellectual leadership experience and skills in the support of the development of grant and research proposals, preparation of presentations and peer‑reviewed publications, and work with the team to ensure successful operations and support the development and oversight of the research infrastructure within the Section in partnership with Principal Investigators (PIs) and senior leadership.

They will apply experience and skills to efforts to secure external funding, steward pre‑ and post‑award processes, and provide guidance to investigators to support operations, research, and strategic planning. The Section continues to expand its clinical research program and is seeking cutting‑edge biomedical research with a focus in improving immune diagnostics. The ideal candidate will be able to seamlessly integrate data‑driven solutions into pediatric medicine, ensuring the delivery of personalized, precise, and efficient care for every child.

The appointee will join a vibrant center of scientific discovery and innovation. Opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration are abundant, both within and outside the Biological Sciences Division. The Biological Sciences Division, other academic units of the University of Chicago, and UChicago Medicine, are all contained within one compact campus in Chicago’s Hyde Park. The primary appointment will be in the Department of Pediatrics, although we anticipate that the appointee will develop close interactions with other departments, divisions, and institutes at the University of Chicago.

• Supports the planning, execution, facilitation, and advancement of technical/scientific research projects in the field of Allergy/Immunology.
• Partners with PIs and other senior leadership to provide strategic oversight for programs within the Section of Allergy/Immunology.
• Participates in the preparation and writing of grant applications, budgets, and reports, and co‑author scientific research manuscripts.
• Oversees day‑to‑day activities in partnership with PIs related to database creation, data collection, and analysis, including evaluation of database management systems within the institution and those available commercially.
• Develops and writes proposals for extramural funding and collaborates with the central development office, departmental research management, and central research administration to submit funding proposals in partnership with PIs.
• Works with investigators to ensure projects are meeting milestones and achieving outcomes.
• Contributes to the…