Senior Research Analyst

Department

AI RISC

About the Department

The Center for RISC is the brainchild of Steven Levitt, professor of economics at the University of Chicago and co-author of Freakonomics. We are not an academic group or research lab. Instead, we investigate today’s social issues by combining unconventional perspectives with empirical data, generating radical solutions with real-world relevance. We then test and scale those solutions through a mix of partnerships with academics, nonprofits, government agencies, international organizations, and private corporations.

Our team holds degrees from the world’s leading universities, and our Analysts have trained in the fields of data science, economics, political science, applied mathematics, and more. After their time at RISC, our alumni have continued their distinguished paths, pursuing further education, embarking on projects abroad, and taking on roles in tech, academia, philanthropy, and beyond.

Job Summary

The Center for Radical Innovation for Social Change (RISC) at the University of Chicago is seeking a Senior Research Analyst to join our fast-growing team. Analysts will be responsible for conducting quantitative and qualitative research on a wide variety of social problems and working with organizational partners to pilot creative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Manages projects related to pressing social issues.
• Conducts background research, through academic literature reviews, conversations with experts, reading popular media, and data analysis.
• Identifies constructive approaches and presents findings to colleagues, partners, and funders.
• Works with organizational partners to pilot new and unconventional solutions ranging from applying cutting-edge technology to designing incentive structures to changing public opinion.
• Leads the planning and execution of our recruiting for new team members.
• Trains, coaches and develops our newest team members.
• Plans and executes events to enhance our team’s morale.
• Monitors analysts’ workloads and makes recommendations for re-balancing assignments across analysts.
• Takes an outsize role in ensuring that our new project pipeline is full.
• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Takes responsibility for the following non-laboratory duties: transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments; presenting research; and recruiting and scheduling research subjects. Acquires higher-level skills and knowledge in the process.
• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis, manipulation, and visualization, e.g., R, Stata, Excel, SQL, Python.
• Web and/or software development experience.
• Product, UX, and/or human-centered design experience.
• Communications and/or media skills (e.g., social media management, graphic design).
• Familiarity with RCT/experimental design and implementation in a social science field.

Preferred Competencies

• Self-starter, juggle multiple priorities with minimal oversight.
• Intensely curious, eager to dive into new issue areas and draw conclusions.
• Comfortable with ambiguity; break down large problems and identify new directions without clear right answers.
• Comfortable changing your mind in the face of new information. As in Freakonomics, our analyses sometimes leads to unexpected findings which may contradict prevailing beliefs.
• Highly resilient. We work on some of the world’s most intractable problems; good Analysts are able to overcome setbacks without being discouraged.
• Strong communicator who can introduce ideas effectively, whether in writing or in presentations.
• Work collaboratively and effectively on a small team, wearing multiple hats and honing our ad-hoc processes.
• Comfortable working with and drawing conclusions from data.
• You are inspired by our mission! No prior social good experience is necessary. We want people who are interested in our work, regardless of previous paths.
• Demonstrated aptitude for data and analytics.
• Exceptional record of academic achievement, and possess strong analytical, problem-solving, writing and presentation skills.
• Proven record of leadership in a work setting or through extracurricular activities.
• Strong ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Comfort with startup-like environment — a blistering pace combined with lean resources and less-than-perfect processes.

Working Conditions

• Located/Relocate near the Chicago area. Employees will be expected in the office 2-3 days per week.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$77,000.00

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 University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

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.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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