Agriculture Research Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL

Job Title: Research Professional - Michael Greenstone / Climate Impact Lab (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)
Location: Chicago, IL
Salary Ranges: $55,000-62,000 annual salary, additional $2,000 professional development fund
Terms: Seeking a Research Professional for a period of at least one but ideally two years
Expected Start Date: Spring - Summer 2026
Department: Climate Impact Lab - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
Job Summary
The Energy Policy Institute at Chicago (EPIC) invites applications for full-time pre-doctoral fellows for the academic year 2026-27. An interdisciplinary research and training center at the University of Chicago, EPIC is contributing innovative solutions to the global energy challenge: how can we ensure that people around the world, today and in the future, have access to reliable, affordable energy needed for human development without putting our health, environment and climate at risk? Previous results from EPIC projects have been influential with policymakers worldwide and featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other leading publications.
The Climate Impact Lab's team of economists, climate scientists, data engineers, and risk analysts are building the world's most comprehensive body of research quantifying the impacts of climate change sector-by-sector, community-by-community around the world. This research will allow decision-makers in the public and private sectors to understand the risks climate change presents and mitigate those risks through smarter investments and public policy. The research will also produce the world's first empirically-derived estimate of the social cost of carbon - the cost to society from each ton of carbon dioxide emitted. This figure can serve as the basis for energy and climate policies.
Successful candidates will work with the Climate Impact Lab under the direction of Michael Greenstone. Responsibilities span all stages of research, including managing projects, collecting and analyzing data, creating presentations, and editing manuscripts. Our research involves using quasi-experimental methods and globally comprehensive data to analyze climate change's impact on various socioeconomic sectors, including health, agriculture, labor, energy, conflict, coasts, and migration. In addition to working closely with faculty as research assistants, pre-doctoral fellows typically attend classes and seminars at EPIC, the University of Chicago, and affiliate institutions.
The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. People in this or similar positions have gone on to Economics Ph.D. programs at Harvard, MIT, University of Chicago, University of California, Berkeley, and similar schools upon completion of this program.
Applicants must have completed a Bachelors or Master's degree by the beginning of their employment and have strong quantitative and programming skills. Candidates with research experience are strongly preferred, especially those with experience in Stata, R, Python or Matlab. The ideal candidate would begin on July 1, 2026 or earlier and work for EPIC for one or two years before applying to graduate school in Economics or another quantitative social science. EPIC offers competitive salary and employee benefits. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Unit-Specific Responsibilities

• Under limited direction, performs complex lab and/or research-related duties and tasks;
• Collects, records and analyzes data;
• Conducts literature reviews;
• Participates in writing reports and manuscripts;
• Ensures compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates;
• Trains and oversees the work of research support personnel;
• Transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments;
• Presenting research findings at staff meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences;
• Assisting with building databases;
• Recruiting and scheduling research subjects.

Unit-preferred Competencies

• Ability to train others
• Advanced knowledge in relevant scientific field
• Advanced knowledge of research techniques or methods
• Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures
• Knowledge of scientific applications and equipment
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Organizational skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications:
Education

• Background in any of the following major fields: economics, business (with a concentration in economics), finance, public policy (with a concentration in economics), other social sciences (with quantitative training), mathematics, statistics, or computer science

Experience

• Relevant research experience as a research assistant.

Technical Knowledge/Skills

• Experience with Stata, Python, Matlab, and/or R required

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Writing Sample (required)
• Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) (required)
• Two Professional References (required)

About the Department
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), part of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) produces data-driven research that advances society's understanding of the global energy challenge and translates research insights into real-world impacts through strategic outreach and training for the next generation of global energy leaders. EPIC's pre-doctoral fellowship program, part of the Becker Friedman Institute's Pre-Doctoral in Economics Program (PREP), serves as a two-year bridge program between college and a doctoral program. Recipients gain an in-depth understanding of the entire research process while undergoing intensive career development as part of a close-knit community
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 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.