Research Specialist

Department

Law Coase-Sandor Institute for Law and Economics

About the Department

The University of Chicago Law School occupies a unique niche among this country's premier law schools. Located on a residential campus in one of America's great cities, UChicago Law offers a rigorous and interdisciplinary professional education that blends the study of law with the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Students, faculty, and staff form a small, tightly knit community devoted to the life of the mind.

Job Summary

The Coase-Sandor Institute for Law and Economics at the University of Chicago Law School seeks a Research Specialist to participate in scientific research projects; ensure compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates; analyze possible solutions using standard procedures; write articles, reports and manuscripts; and assists in drafting presentations on research findings. The Institute promotes the understanding and dissemination of the economic approach to law. For more information about the Institute, please visit http://www.law.uchicago.edu/coase-sandor.

This role is intended to operate on a pre-doc model, with the Research Specialist remaining in the role for up to two years before pursing graduate studies, although this can be extended by mutual agreement. Because the University of Chicago is not an E-Verify employer, please note that the Law School cannot hire individuals under F-1 OPT STEM visa status. The Law School can hire individuals under F-1 or J-1 visa status.

Responsibilities

• Builds and manages data sets. 
• Builds and tests econometric models. 
• Creates tables and figures to communicate findings. 
• Helps with the design of experimental and survey studies. 
• Conducts complex data analysis. 
• Writes and edits research documentation.
• Discovers new data sources and cleans/prepares data for analysis. 
• Simultaneously manages the delivery of potentially multiple research projects adhering to deadlines and high standards of quality. 
• Provides general assistance to the Institute, as well as to Law School faculty and post-doctoral scholars. 
• Attends various law school events, including conferences and workshops. 
• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.  
• Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.  
• 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 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualification

Education: 

• A degree with training statistical methods, including familiarity with experimental methods. 
• An advanced degree in economics or related field with evidence of strong mathematics, statistics, and metrics background is strongly preferred. 

Experience: 

• Significant research experience in a university setting is strongly preferred. 
• Programming with Stata and/or R, as well as software such as Matlab or SAS. 
• Programming in Python. Familiarity with programming languages such as Perl or Ruby. 

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Competence and experience programming with Stata, as well as familiarity with other statistical packages such as R, Matlab, or SAS. 
• Competence and experience programming in Python.
• Working knowledge of MS Excel. 

Preferred Competencies 

• Self-directed. 
• Work independently and within teams. 
• Work effectively across multiple projects. 
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail. 
   

Application Documents 

• Resume/CV (required) 
• Cover Letter (preferred) 

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

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

​
FLSA Status

Exempt

​
Pay Range

$58,000.00 - $60,000.00

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.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.