Research Director

About the Department

The University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab works with policymakers, organizations, and communities to identify their most urgent and pressing challenges, co-generate evidence about what works, and translate that evidence into real policy changes that expand economic opportunity and improve lives. Program areas include college and career success, quality jobs, financial security, and housing stability.

The job manages multiple related teams of managers and professional staff responsible for a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource.

• Develop and direct a portfolio of applied research projects focused on housing stability, financial security, or quality jobs.
• Manage and mentor research and project staff, providing scientific direction and ensuring the rigor and quality of all work.
• Contribute to strategic conversations about which new projects and initiatives the Inclusive Economy Lab should take on.
• Work collaboratively with practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement applied research projects.
• Contribute to the scientific content of research proposals.
• Disseminate research findings to both research and practitioner/policy maker audiences.
• Serve as a member of the Inclusive Economy Lab’s leadership team.
• Establish standard operating procedures for continuous review and development of quality improvement plans for our unit, advance research objectives through participation in professional committees and presentations, and ensure timely reporting of research data following study‑specific guidelines.
• Manage, plan, and evaluate regulatory elements of multiple or complex research projects for a designated department, program, or central unit.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum requirements include a PhD in a related field and knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

• Expertise in all aspects of the research design, methods, and evaluation of research projects in the area of labor economics/social policy.
• Content expertise in college and career success, quality jobs, financial security, or housing stability.
• Demonstrated experience working with communities that have experienced segregation and disinvestment.
• Preference will be given to those with proven experience working with interdisciplinary research teams and agency and community stakeholders.

• Ability to engage thoughtfully with issues related to race, identity, and equity and to work across difference.
• Interest in finding and testing innovative solutions to urban problems.

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)
• Writing sample (required)
• The names and email addresses of three potential professional references (required)

Job Family:
Research

Role Impact:
People Manager

Scheduled Weekly

Hours:

37.5

Drug Test

Required:

No

Health Screen

Required:

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry

Required:

No

Pay Rate Type:
Salary

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Pay Range: $ - $. 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  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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