Research Project Assistant

About the Department

The Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics has been recognized as one of the world's leading centers for economic research and education for over a century. The Department's faculty has received numerous awards, including more Nobel Prize laureates and John Bates Clark medalists in economics than any other university. Faculty members include many members of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Econometric Society.

About the Role

Reporting to Julia Seither, Senior Research Associate, the Research Project Assistant supports the implementation of research field experiments and provides a wide range of administrative support that keeps the group’s research portfolio running smoothly. This entry-level role is well-suited to someone early in a research career, offering hands-on project-management experience while working closely with faculty, research staff, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of field experiments, including planning, scheduling, and monitoring study activities across research sites.
• Travel to field sites as needed.
• Collaborate with the Research Project Coordinator on field site visits and surveys.
• Support communication between the research team and external partners, vendors, and study sites to ensure protocols are executed accurately and on time.
• Provide technical and administrative support for research projects, including maintaining study supplies and tracking inventory.
• Assist with site visits and interact with human participants.
• Ensure experiments comply with university and IRB policies and procedures.
• Prepare reports and presentations for research team meetings.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of research compliance materials, including IRB protocols and related documentation.
• Provide assistance with correspondence, purchasing, and expense reconciliation.
• Provide day-to-day support for student RAs with project and research tasks.
• Identify operational issues as they arise and resolve routine ones using established procedures, escalating others to senior staff.
• Track project milestones, budgets, and deliverables.
• Assist finance partners with preparing budgets and expense reports.
• Support data collection efforts, including preparing materials and helping maintain data quality and integrity.
• May assist recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support.
• Develop skills in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
• Collect and enter data; assist in analyzing data.
• Assist with preparation of reports, manuscripts, and other documents.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships, or equivalent experience in a related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Qualifications

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Analytics, or a related field.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting research projects, field experiments, studies, or data collection.
• Experience working with human participants.
• Experience using data tools, statistical or survey software.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of data management techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Project management skills.
• Familiarity with SAP/Concur and GEMS.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and a high degree of reliability and discretion.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
• Ability to follow established protocols and procedures and troubleshoot routine issues.

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.

Pay

Hourly pay range: $21.79 - $28.21.

Schedule

Scheduled weekly hours: 37.5.