Job Title: Summer Research Assistant, Energy & Environment Lab

Locations: Chicago, IL, or Washington, DC

Who We Are

The University of Chicago Energy & Environment Lab (E&E Lab) partners with agencies at the local, state and federal level to identify, rigorously evaluate, and help scale programs and policies that reduce pollution and improve environmental outcomes, while ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy. The E&E Lab uses natural experiments, randomized control trials, behavioral economics, and machine learning to help policymakers identify and generate evidence around innovative approaches to their most pressing environmental and energy-related challenges.

The E&E Lab is part of the Urban Labs, a collection of labs that partner with government agencies to identify and rigorously evaluate policies with the greatest potential to improve human lives at scale. Urban Labs’ evidence-based approach gives policymakers and practitioners the knowledge they need to effectively achieve the greatest social good per dollar spent.

Job Summary

The E&E Lab is seeking Summer Research Assistants (RAs) with strong research, methodological, and programming skills to support large-scale environmental policy research projects. The RAs will work on a portfolio of projects designed to evaluate the impact of promising energy and environmental interventions. Typical research projects involve the analysis of environmental and energy data, utilizing quasi-experimental and experimental methods to provide government partners with guidance on key policy questions.

Responsibilities:

  • Coding, review, and cleaning of data
  • Data analytics, statistical analysis, and building econometric and machine learning models
  • Project development and coordination
  • Literature reviews
  • Assisting in writing, formatting, and editing reports and works for publication and for dissemination to partners

Job Requirements

Competencies:

  • Interest in and aptitude for developing advanced programming and analytic skills
  • Experience with at least one statistical analysis language required; R, or Python strongly preferred
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize multiple sources
  • Strong initiative and a resourceful approach to problem-solving and learning
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • High attention to detail and organizational skills
  • Knowledge of environment and/or energy policy issues preferred

Education:

  • Significant progress towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant discipline
  • Coursework in computer science, statistics, or engineering
  • Research experience in an academic setting preferred

Documents Required:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Academic transcript(s)

Successful candidates will be paid a stipend and would join the E&E Lab for a period of approximately ten weeks, with a flexible start date. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with decisions made on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The E&E Lab main office is in Chicago; some research staff are based in the offices of our federal and state government partners. Summer Research Assistant positions are available in: Chicago, IL, and Washington, DC. Locational preferences should be noted in your application. 

To apply, please complete the form and upload your resume, cover letter, and transcript below. Questions and inquiries about the summer position should be directed to eelabhiring@uchicago.edu.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff 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.

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.

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