Academic and Research Specialist

About the Department

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment. Chicago Booth is proud to claim:

• An unmatched faculty.
• Degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
• A global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
• Strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas—the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.

About the Role

The Academic and Research Specialist works closely with a diverse group of 5-7 faculty to further the faculty mission of teaching and research. The Specialist must understand and anticipate faculty needs, understand faculty culture, and deliver effective solutions to individual faculty, research assistants, and other members of the community. Must participate in professional meetings to discuss research and academic goals and implementation strategies. Strong analytical and administrative skills are used to maintain relations with faculty, and are a high priority in supporting and collaborating with faculty, faculty support staff, PhD students, and University visitors. High levels of initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm are keys to success. This position is not currently eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Responsibilities

• Furthers the faculty mission of teaching through the creation and preparation of course materials including Canvas (course management) sites, digital course reserves, course materials, handouts, and PowerPoint slides.
• Analyzes, validates, and evaluates drafts of problem sets and exams to ensure clarity and accuracy, and recommends changes as necessary.
• Calculates and validates advanced math formulas/equations; a general understanding of basic concepts as they relate to economics is useful.
• Oversees and manages teaching assistants on behalf of faculty in a manner consistent with faculty requirements.
• Responds to students on a wide variety of concerns and course-related questions.
• Enters grades with delegated authority from faculty members, ensuring FERPA privacy guidelines are met.
• Provides technical and administrative support for primary research, which includes:
  • Pulling data sets and cleaning data.
  • Preparation of manuscripts and other documents; editing documents for clarity.
  • Navigation of paper submission process with publishers.
  • Management of research labs or centers, for example, RA time management, ordering/coordinating research study supplies, and managing hardware and software used for studies, and grant proposals.
  • Orientation or coordination of the work of research support staff and students.
  • Conduction of literary reviews which require the ability to research similar bodies of work in the marketplace that will serve as a foundation for new research by faculty.
  • Analysis of data using statistical software and/or specialized software.
• Acts as an ambassador for Booth and a resource for guests before, during, and after their visits to campus.
• Assumes responsibility for ensuring highest quality event management for events such as research seminars, conferences, and meetings.
• Oversees and reconciles budget, through vendor selection, budget projections, and general checks and balances within the budget, for workshops and events.
• Manages day-to-day operation of faculty group, primarily in the areas of financial and support services management.
• Ensures compliance with relevant Booth, University, and other policies and guidelines.
• Develops budgets for workshops and events. Monitors and reconciles accounts.
• Manages oversight of the day-to-day financial processes, payment of invoices, and processing of reimbursements.
• May develop financial reporting for grants.
• Creates, edits, and maintains class web pages and faculty personal web pages, utilizing advanced computer skills in web page management.
• May provide assistance to other office staff, such as Deans’ Office during recruiting and research centers with which the faculty collaborate, to ensure efficiently running organization support to all faculty.
• Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendor contracts.
• Prepares and monitors the budget for a unit.
• Researches and analyzes data to create reports, and may create other reports for grants and contracts.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
• 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree (preferred).
• Mastery of Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Exposure to content management and learning management tools, such as Canvas.
• Familiarity with tools such as LaTeX and Stata (preferred).
• Interest in business school environment, grants/proposals, and research/lab work.
• High degree of professionalism.
• Excellent service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Superior organizational skills and constant attention to detail.
• Outstanding problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of research techniques and methods.
• Proven ability to work independently, proactively, courteously, efficiently, and tactfully, using sound judgment, in a fast-paced environment with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated skill managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, time-sensitive, high-output environment.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and faculty information.
• Understand faculty needs and faculty culture, while also being able to deliver effective solutions to individual faculty.
• Familiarity with a research environment.

Schedule

• This position is currently expected to work a minimum of three days per week in the office.
• Occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.

Pay

Salary range: $59,000.00 - $62,000.00.

Benefits

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.