The University of Chicago

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

Description
The Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at the University of Chicago invites applications for a full-time Research Associate for a three-year term starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.

About the TMW Center
Co-directed by Dana Suskind (Biological Sciences Division), and John List (Economics), the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health aspires to create a population-level shift in the knowledge and behavior of parents and caregivers to optimize the foundational brain development in children, birth to five years of age, particularly those born into poverty. The TMW Center has conducted 12 randomized controlled, quasi-experimental, and implementation trials to date and plans to continue its active randomized controlled and implementation trials, including ongoing data collection and analysis in the coming years. As part of these research projects, the Center is continuing to adapt and validate two state-of-the-art tools: (1) the SPEAK - a computer-adaptive tool designed to assess caretaker expectations and knowledge of early childhood cognitive and language development, and (2) the Luet – a wearable device paired with an app that uses machine learning to measure early child development through language and physical movement.

Job Summary:
The Research Associate will work, in partnership with Co-Director Suskind and Senior Research Associate Pernaudet, to design and execute TMW Center research projects. Core responsibilities include conducting rigorous quantitative analyses, writing and publishing findings, presenting research, and leading grant applications in collaboration with Professors List and Suskind. The position entails collaboration on new and ongoing research projects, with a highly interdisciplinary team of economists, psychologists, engineers, app developers, and more. A primary focus of the work is applying economic models and machine learning techniques to empirical analysis of data generated from TMW Center’s research projects, including via Luet and the SPEAK.

The position will also allow the Research Associate to be part of the vibrant research environment of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health and the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at The University of Chicago. This position will report to the TMW Center Co-Directors, Dana Suskind and John List, with additional reporting to the Center COO for matters outside of research. This position will require a commitment of at least 3 years.

This position is benefits-eligible. 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.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
In collaboration with the Co-Director, develop research designs for TMW Center projects, including formulating testable research questions, selecting appropriate measurements, and ensuring clean identification of outcomes.
At the direction of the Co-Director, write, submit, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. The annual goal is, on average, to have at least four papers in progress and at least two submitted for publication.
Disseminate TMW research findings to broader audiences by presenting in select conferences and meetings of early childhood researchers, psychologists, and economists.
Maintain existing TMW Center research collaborations with faculty at the University of Chicago, as well as other national and international faculty with whom the Center is partnering on projects.
Participate in and contribute to the grant preparation process in a timely manner in close collaboration with the Co-Directors, potential Co-PIs, collaborators and consultants and the Grants and Contracts office.
Participate in regularly scheduled TMW Center team meetings, lab meetings, and ‘papers’ meetings with Co-Director Suskind and weekly Econ meeting with Co-Director List.

Competencies:
Excellent organizational, quantitative, and analytical skills with a high level of accuracy and sharp attention to detail required.
Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse professional environment required.
Ability to effectively manage a heavy workload, competing priorities, and tight deadlines required.
A quick learner with the ability to initiate, organize, prioritize, and complete multiple, high-level projects; meet tight deadlines; and work effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment required.
Strong computer skills including programming, ability to work with data sets, and data visualization ability required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
Ability to work both independently and as a team member required.

Qualifications
Before the start of employment, qualified applicants must have:
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Economics.
Two years of postdoctoral experience and research within the field of economics.
A microeconomist with experience in experimental and behavioral economics is preferred
Strong expertise in education and health policy.
Demonstrated ability to communicate research findings clearly to multiple audiences through oral presentations and written work.
Experience in writing grant proposals, and a strong commitment to research preferred.
We especially welcome applicants with technical knowledge or skills in:
Knowledge of Stata, Python, Matlab, and/or R preferred.
Knowledge of LaTeX required.

Application Instructions
Applicants must apply online through the University of Chicago Academic Recruitment job board at https://apply.interfolio.com/190379.
Applicants are required to submit:
Resume/CV
Cover Letter (include earliest available start date)
Research statement
Additionally, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit, as optional, up to three published or unpublished research papers.
Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.

EEO Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on 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 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.