Entry Level Economic Development Jobs in Illinois

Department

SSD: Economics - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department

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

Job Summary

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. Working closely with faculty, research staff, and external partners, the assistant translates study designs into functioning field operations, documents and reports on milestones, and tracks expenses.
This entry-level role is well suited to someone early in a research career: the assistant works alongside faculty and senior research staff and builds hands-on project-management experience - helping coordinate study timelines and deliverables, tracking budgets and milestones, supporting vendor and field-site relationships, and keeping research operations on schedule and in compliance with IRB and university requirements.

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. Is developing skills in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
• Collects and enters data. Assists in analyzing data. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

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

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• 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.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$21.79 - $28.21

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 773-702-5800 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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