Research Professional Senior Analyst

University of Chicago

University of Chicago

IT
Chicago, IL, USA
USD 75k-80k / year
Posted on Jun 12, 2025

Department

Crown Research Thomas


About the Department

As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff and students focus on identifying solutions to complex problems through the integration of research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions. More than 8,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, and at governmental agencies The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers. These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Urban Education Institute (UEI), the Center for Health Administration Studies, the Smart Decarceration Project, and the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet). More information may be found here.


Job Summary

We invite applications for one Research Professional Senior Analyst position in the area of guaranteed income research with an emphasis on qualitative methodological approaches.

The initial appointment for this grant-funded position will be one year with the possibility of renewal for one additional year. The position involves work on the qualitative arm of a large pilot study of the impacts of guaranteed income receipt in Los Angeles County, California. The study employs a randomized controlled trial design, and the qualitative arm, in which this position is situated, follows a subset of study participants, collecting longitudinal qualitative data on the impact of guaranteed income on early childhood development, parenting, material hardship, and the overall health and wellbeing of participants. The postdoctoral scholar will take a leading role in cleaning, coding, and analyzing qualitative data; will collaborate with the principal investigators in developing study findings; and will develop their own program of research by contributing to study protocols, formulating research questions, writing grants, conducting analysis, and writing and presenting research findings.

The Research Professional Senior Analyst will receive strong mentorship with committed faculty scholars, including support from a mentor network across multiple institutions. The position’s primary mentor at the University of Chicago Crown Family School will be Dr. Margaret Thomas, and the successful candidate will additionally receive substantial mentorship from study Co-PI Dr. Judith Perrigo at the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin School of Public Policy, Department of Social Welfare.

Responsibilities

  • Collects and analyzes research data.
  • Develops and reviews research protocols.
  • May present work at scientific meetings.
  • Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
  • Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
  • Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.
  • Trains new laboratory personnel.
  • Performs other related work.


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a PhD 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

Experience:

  • Substantive knowledge and background in social welfare, income support policies and programs, economic precarity among families, or other related areas.

  • Experience collecting, coding, and analyzing qualitative interview data.

  • Successful collaboration in a team research environment.

Preferred Competencies

  • Excellent academic writing and analytical skills.

  • Clear interest in publishing peer-reviewed articles.

  • Strong qualitative methodological skills.

  • Exemplary team research competency, including effective communication, willingness to engage with a range of perspectives, and flexibility in contributing to team efforts.

  • Ability to work independently and to manage one's own time and work tasks.

  • Preparation to work diligently to maintain confidentiality and follow University policies regarding data security.

Working Conditions

  • Work will primarily take place on a computer, with the capacity to work on a screen multiple hours per day and to engage in video-based collaborative meetings.

  • Monday – Friday

  • Working hours can be flexible to the applicant’s needs, with some required meetings between 9 am and 5 pm CT.

  • This role is a hybrid position, offering the flexibility for the applicant to work remotely, subject to arrangements made with their supervisor. The position does not mandate primary residency in Chicago, allowing candidates to reside elsewhere.

  • However, there is an expectation to be on-site at the Hyde Park campus as needed, such as during the initial onboarding week, specific staff meetings, and other required events. These on-site requirements will be communicated in advance and coordinated to ensure a smooth balance of remote and in-person obligations.

Application Documents

  • Cover letter describing your research goals and training, including why your background and interests are a good match for the position (required)

  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume (required)

  • One academic writing sample (required)

  • Two letters of reference (preferred)

  • Reference contact information (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

40


Drug Test Required

No


Health Screen Required

No


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No


Pay Rate Type

Salary


FLSA Status

Exempt


Pay Range

$75,000.00 - $80,000.00

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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