Job Title: Research Manager – Energy & Environment Lab (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)
Location: Chicago, IL – Urban Labs, 33 N LaSalle / Remote
Expected Start Date: Flexible
About the Unit:
The University of Chicago Energy & Environment Lab is seeking a Research Manager (RM) with strong research, methodological, and management skills to support large-scale environmental policy research projects. The RM will help manage a growing portfolio of applied research projects related to environmental policy. The RM will contribute to project development, data analysis, research design and implementation. The RM will work closely with partners at government agencies, a dedicated team of research analysts and data scientists, to implement research projects led by Pritzker Faculty Director Michael Greenstone and other faculty at University Chicago and other institutions. The University of Chicago Urban Labs partners with government and non-governmental organizations to identify and rigorously evaluate the policies and programs 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. The University of Chicago Energy & Environment Lab (E&E Lab) partners with agencies at the federal, state and local 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 applies rigorous evaluation and modeling methods, including natural and field experiments, randomized controlled trials, behavioral economics, and machine learning, to help policymakers identify and generate evidence on innovative approaches and policy solutions to their most pressing environmental and energy challenges.
Job Summary
The job manages scientific research projects or scientific research facilities. Uses considerable on-the-job experience to ensure compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies. Works independently to write articles, reports and manuscripts, and presents research findings at meetings and/or conferences.
Responsibilities
- Manage research partnerships with government agencies and serve as project manager for research and technical assistance projects, leading communications and project deliverables.
- Meaningfully contribute to the research design, analysis and implementation of policy relevant research projects.
- Assist with setting the strategic direction of the E&E Lab by helping form new partnerships and building capacity.
- Closely collaborate with Lab leadership and faculty serving as principal investigators on projects to plan and execute research projects.
- Manage data collection, cleaning and econometric data analysis for a variety of projects.
- Build predictive analytics/machine learning models, in collaboration with other research staff.
- Prepare memos, presentations, and papers targeting both policymakers and academic audiences.
- Ensure compliance with institutional, state and federal regulatory policies and procedures as well as internal data privacy and security policies.
- Conduct thorough and critical reviews of relevant literature.
- Assist with writing grant proposals and managing grant reports.
- Prepare human subjects protocols and amendments for IRB.
- Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design.
- Solves complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Master's degree in economics, public policy, statistics or other relevant field.
- Coursework in econometrics and/or mathematical statistics.
Experience:
- A minimum of four years of relevant research experience.
- Programming in Stata or R.
- Work on field experiments / randomized controlled trials.
- Designing predictive analytics/machine learning models.
- Work with large and complex datasets.
Preferred Competencies
- Strong background in applied statistics & econometrics.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to present research concepts in a simple and straightforward way for non-technical audiences.
- Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and prioritize activities to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
- Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Work both independently, in a self-directed manner, and as a team member.
- Knowledge and understanding of energy and environmental policy topics strongly.
- Topical expertise in energy and environmental economics, including familiarity with the field literature.
Working Conditions
- This position will perform tasks mostly indoors in an office setting.
- Work independently for periods of eight (8) hours or more.
Required Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
The University of Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, and job seekers. No person shall be discriminated against in employment or harassed because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, parental status, ancestry, source of income, or other classes protected by law. This policy includes the commitment to maintaining a work environment free from unlawful harassment.
