Research Director

The University of Chicago; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Research Director to lead innovative environmental policy research at a prestigious institution. This role involves collaborating with faculty and policymakers, managing research teams, and developing impactful projects that address pressing energy and environmental challenges. The successful candidate will guide a portfolio of applied research, ensuring high-quality outputs and fostering partnerships. Join a forward-thinking lab committed to advancing knowledge in energy and climate, where your expertise will shape the future of sustainable practices and policies.

Benefits

Health Benefits

Retirement Plans

Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Schedule

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in related job discipline.
• Experience managing research teams and developing project portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Lead applied research projects focused on energy and environmental issues.
• Manage and mentor research staff, ensuring quality and rigor.

Skills

Econometrics

Microeconomics Research Methods

Machine Learning

Randomized Controlled Trials

Project Management

Excellent Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Attention to Detail

Leadership Skills

Education

Master’s Degree in Economics

College or University Degree in Related Field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Department

Energy and Environment Lab

About the Department

The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth is a groundbreaking effort uniting faculty from across the university to advance society’s understanding of our energy and climate future. The Institute combines faculty insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technologies to produce world-changing ideas while also investing in the next generation of energy and climate thinkers, leaders, and innovators through novel educational programs.

The University of Chicago Energy and Environment Lab (E&E Lab) partners with agencies at the federal, state and local level to identify, rigorously evaluate, and help scale programs and policies that reduce pollution and improve environmental outcomes, while ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy. The E&E Lab applies rigorous evaluation and modeling methods, including natural and field experiments, randomized controlled trials, behavioral economics, and machine learning, to help policymakers identify and generate evidence on innovative approaches and policy solutions to their most pressing environmental and energy challenges.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago Energy and Environment Lab (E&E Lab) is seeking a Research Director to provide technical and intellectual leadership to the E&E Lab, and develop and support environmental policy research projects. The Director will be part of the Lab’s leadership team, and will work closely with the Executive Director and Pritzker Faculty Director Michael Greenstone, as well as collaborate with other faculty members to provide direction for a portfolio of applied research projects and ensure the rigor and quality of the Lab's work.

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with faculty members, practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement applied research projects.
• Serves as technical lead on a portfolio of applied research projects focused on energy and environmental issues, including projects incorporating tools from randomized controlled trials, natural experiments and machine learning.
• Manages and mentors research and project staff, providing technical direction and ensuring the rigor and quality of all work.
• Develops new partnerships, projects and initiatives.
• Helps draft research proposals, publications, and presentations.
• Disseminates research findings to research and practitioner/policymaker audiences.
• Serves as a member of the E&E Lab’s senior leadership team.
• Provides expertise to researchers and research support staff. Oversees activities related to data collection and analysis.
• Improves financial, personnel, planning, compliance and other administrative aspects of research project. Collaborates with other researchers on long-range plans for research projects. Leads, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology. Establishes goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines.
• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in economics or another relevant field.

Experience:

• At least ten years of full-time academic or research experience.
• Managing research teams and developing research project portfolios.
• Working with interdisciplinary teams and engaging with policymaker stakeholders.
• Establishing and executing a research agenda and seeing projects through to publication.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling and style.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite.
• Knowledge of University systems is a plus.
• Expertise in econometrics, microeconomics research methods and all aspects of research design.
• Topical expertise in energy and environmental economics, including deep knowledge of the field literature.
• Substantial experience in machine learning/predictive analytics and randomized controlled trials.

Preferred Competencies

• Interest in finding and testing innovative solutions to environmental problems.
• Capability to understand complex research and identify the best way to communicate said research to a variety of different audiences.
• Comfort and experience working with members of the media.
• Handle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously.
• Project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Work independently with a high degree of initiative.
• Work as a member of a team.
• Attention to detail with excellent organizational skills.
• Set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Superior degree of professionalism.

Working Conditions

• Office environment; writing and typing, work at a computer for multiple hours.
• Hybrid schedule available.
• Fast-paced environment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter to include interest in position (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be 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

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$110,000.00 - $120,000.00

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.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu .Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.