Principal Researcher

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Harper (OR); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business seeks a Principal Researcher to support Bryon Aragam's research, collaborating on scholarly work and enabling dissemination at conferences.

We seek candidates with a college degree and 5–7 years in research, strong Python/PyTorch capabilities, and a track record of rigorous statistical analysis and publication. Three days per week in-office work is expected, emphasizing independence and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in related field.
• Five to seven years of work experience in a related discipline.
• PhD status or all-but-dissertation status preferred.
• PhD within one year of start date preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty to present work at conferences and publish in journals.
• Collect data and perform statistical analyses.
• Review literature and conduct research.
• Train, deploy, and evaluate machine learning models.
• Guide data collection and database design; write reports.
• Perform related duties and contribute to project design and dissemination.
• Work independently and with others to advance research goals.

Skills

Python & PyTorch

Statistics

Machine Learning

Mathematical background

Communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

College/University degree

Doctoral degree / PhD within 1 year

Job description

Department

Booth Faculty Research - Research Professional

About The Department

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the‑art learning environment.

Chicago Booth Is Proud To Claim:

• an unmatched faculty.
• degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
• a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
• strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world‑renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University’s core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary

The Principal Researcher provides a supportive research environment to a highly qualified recent PhD. The Principal Researcher collaborates with Bryon Aragam to enable Professor Aragam’s research under their direction. The PR will be a major collaborator on scholarly work, and may be required to present that research at academic conferences.

Responsibilities

• Conducts collaborative research with faculty to be presented at academic forums and published in peer‑reviewed academic journals.
• Collects data and conducts statistical analysis.
• Conducts literature reviews and performs research.
• Trains, deploys, and evaluates machine learning models.
• Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab and/or research‑related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design.
• Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis. Designs and manages databases. Writes reports, articles and manuscripts.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Doctoral degree status or all‑but‑dissertation status.
• PhD within one year of start date.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

• Programming and computing skills, including familiarity with statistics and machine learning software, such as those in Python and PyTorch.
• Strong mathematical and statistical background at the research level.

Preferred Competencies

• Evidence of ability to publish in high‑impact conferences and journals.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and handle multiple projects.
• Work well independently, as well as with others.
• Seek out, coordinate, and appropriately disseminate information.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Research Statement, including brief description of research interests (required)
• Graduate Transcripts (required)

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$75,000.00

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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