Lead Research Manager

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Benefits package

Job summary

The University of Chicago (UL Inclusive Economy Lab) seeks a dedicated research project manager to oversee complex research projects, ensure IRB compliance, and coordinate data collection with partner organizations in a hybrid Chicago setting.

You will develop detailed project plans, manage budgets, and contribute to policy briefs and reports, supporting equity-focused research and team collaboration.

Qualifications

• College degree in a related field.
• 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• IRB protocols and human subjects research requirements familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Manage on-time and on-budget projects with detailed plans and IRB compliance.
• Oversee data collection, surveys, recruitment, and data pulls.
• Serve as liaison with partner organizations; translate research requirements into actionable tasks.
• Develop and monitor project budgets; prepare funder reports and maintain documentation.
• Ensure adherence to research protocols and equity standards; mentor junior staff.

Skills

Project management

IRB protocols

Data management

Stakeholder coordination

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Department

UL Inclusive Economy Lab

About the Department

The Inclusive Economy Lab is led by Marianne Bertrand, the Chris P. Dialynas Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Co-Director of Social Enterprise Initiative at Booth, and the Pritzker Director of the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab. Her research, which covers labor economics, corporate finance, and development economics, has been published widely. She is a member of the board of directors for the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Our team currently consists of thirty-eight full-time staff, who work in a hybrid virtual and in‑person environment at our main office in downtown Chicago. Our constantly evolving portfolio of projects spans workforce development, housing and homelessness, postsecondary education, and income support policies.

Job Summary

This position participates in scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

Responsibilities

• Ensures projects are on time and on budget.
• Owns the operational execution of multiple active research projects of average complexity by managing work plans, timelines, IRB protocols, data agreements, and deliverable schedules.
• Develops and maintains detailed project plans, project updates, and documentation that keep the full project team, including the Program Director, Research Director, and analysts, aligned on progress and upcoming decisions.
• Anticipates and resolves logistical challenges and decision bottlenecks, escalating to the Research Director or Program Director when issues require senior judgment.
• Manages IRB submissions and amendments. Ensures all project activities comply with human subjects research requirements and the Lab's equity standards.
• Oversees data use agreements, data transfer protocols, and partner data requests in collaboration with Lab protocols and policies.
• Manages data collection activities, including survey administration, participant recruitment, intervention tracking, and administrative data pulls.
• Serves as the primary liaison with partner organizations on day‑to‑day research management tasks such as data sharing, participant enrollment, and implementation fidelity, translating research requirements into clear, actionable asks for program partners.
• Regularly revises project budgets, tracks expenses, and proactively raises potential cost overruns.
• Submits all funder reports, delegating work as necessary.
• Helps ensure that partner and community perspectives are reflected in data collection instruments and the interpretation of findings.
• Supports the Program Director in managing partner expectations around data timelines, research protocols, and publication plans.
• Collaborates with analysts to troubleshoot data quality issues as they arise during collection and cleaning, resolves discrepancies, and documents decisions.
• Coordinates closely with the Research Director and analysts on the timing and scope of data analysis, ensuring that analytical products align with project timelines and budgets and partner needs.
• Drafts, reviews, and provides substantive feedback on scopes of work, presentations, reports, and policy briefs.
• Participates in team meetings, Lab‑wide learning events, and the research management community of practice facilitated by the Director of Research Management.
• Provides people management to Project Associates as necessary, giving day‑to‑day direction, feedback, and professional development.
• Serves as a mentor or go‑to resource for junior staff.
• Reviews work products from junior staff for quality, accuracy, and alignment with research protocols before they are shared with the Research Director or Program Director.
• Onboards new research staff to projects, including orientation to partner context, data systems, and IRB requirements.
• Models the Lab's values around equity, community engagement, and learning in how the research process is conducted and how junior staff are supported.
• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research‑related duties and tasks.
• Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects.
• Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts.
• Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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

Certifications:---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:Master's degree in public policy, social science, economics, public health, education, or a related field strongly preferred.

Experience:Background managing applied research projects, ideally in a policy research, government, nonprofit, or academic setting. Demonstrated experience with IRB protocols, data use agreements, and human subjects research requirements. Understanding of working directly with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or community‑based partners on research or program implementation.

Preferred CompetenciesStrong project management skills to build and maintain detailed project plans, track deliverables across multiple stakeholders, and manage competing deadlines.

Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods and comfortable working alongside analysts on data‑driven projects. Read and interpret statistical output even if not producing it independently.

Excellent written communication skills, including contributing to research reports, memos, or policy briefs.

Commitment to racial equity and economic justice, and experience working in or alongside communities affected by poverty or structural exclusion.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family

Research Role ImpactIndividual ContributorScheduled Weekly Hours37.5Drug Test RequiredNoHealth Screen RequiredNoMotor Vehicle Record Inquiry RequiredNoPay Rate TypeSalaryFLSA StatusExemptPay Range$59,500.00 - $77,000.00The 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

EligibleYesThe 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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