Research Associate in Economics

The Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at the University of Chicago invites applications for a two year full-time Research Associate position beginning in the 2020-2021 academic year. This is a grant-funded position.

Working in collaboration with the faculty director of the Center for the Economics of Human Development (CEHD), Nobel laureate James J. Heckman, the Research Associate will conduct original research, and make contributions that advance the research agenda of the Center. The position entails collaboration on new and ongoing research projects, with the specialization in (but not limited to) using applied microeconomics across the fields of labor economics, family economics, and industrial organization to analyze a) individual skill development (e.g., identify the latent skills, understand the skill development process, and design and study the intervention to accelerate the skill development process); b) human capital investment with location decisions to understand the income inequality and income intergenerational mobility (e.g., the impact of work location choices on education investment; the influence of parental work locations on children skill development). 

This position will provide an opportunity for the Research Associate to be a part of the vibrant research environment of CEHD and the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics. CEHD’s research portfolio features a variety of projects on life cycle skill development, inequality, social mobility, and design and analysis of experiments in the US, China, Brazil, and Germany. Important components of our research agenda are advancing research on the measurement of skills using questionnaires, computer games, lab experiments, and deepening the understanding how measurements are affected by contexts and incentives. To carry out this work, the Research Associate will interact with large-scale data sets and use multiple advanced measurements and models. The position will foster experience in these areas through enabling University-sponsored travel domestically and internationally. 

The Research Associate is expected to (co-)author academic publications, establish an independent research track record by participating in the full range of the research cycle from proposal-stages to publication dissemination, and play an active role in obtaining and conducting funded research. They will present their work and the Center’s work at professional conferences and in meetings with potential and current funders.

The Research Associate will also jointly guide and train researchers of all levels (e.g., undergraduate and graduate students, full-time BA- or MA-level predoctoral researchers, and postdoctoral scholars).

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Economics; at least three years postdoctoral experience; a strong background in empirical research, applied microeconomics, applied statistics (including computation skills); and a demonstrated ability to communicate research findings clearly to multiple audiences through oral presentations and written work. Experience with securing extramural funding is preferred. A demonstrated record of managing and mentoring junior researchers, on an individual and also team levels, is preferred.

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply online at the University of Chicago's Interfolio academic job board at: apply.interfolio.com/76948 (http://apply.interfolio.com/76948). Applicants are required to submit a curriculum vitae, research statement and three letters of recommendation. Additionally, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit published or unpublished research papers. Review of applications will begin on August 10, 2020 and will continue up to August 30, 2020 or until the  position is filled.  Early application is strongly recommended. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The University of Chicago is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

For help signing up, accessing your account, or submitting your application please check out Interfolio's help and support section or get in touch via email at help@interfolio.com or phone at (877) 997-8807.

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