Research Project Assistant

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking an entry‑level Research Project Assistant to support field experiments and administrative tasks for the Economics department. You will work with faculty and staff to translate study designs into field operations, track milestones, budgets, and deliverables, and help ensure compliance with IRB and university requirements.

You will gain hands‑on project‑management experience by coordinating study timelines, vendor relationships, and data collection while

Qualifications

• Education: Vocational training, apprenticeships or equivalent experience; not required to have a four-year degree.
• Work Experience: 2–5 years in a related job discipline.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business Analytics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of field experiments, including planning, scheduling, and monitoring study activities across research sites.
• Travel to field sites as needed.
• Collaborate with the Research Project Coordinator on field site visits and surveys.
• Ensure protocols are executed accurately and on time with external partners, vendors and study sites.
• Provide administrative support and help maintain data quality and integrity.

Skills

Data management

Project management

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace

Statistical software

Data collection

Communication

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Economics or related field

Tools

SAP

Concur

GEMS

Job description

Department SSD: Economics - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department For over a century, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics has been recognized as one of the world's leading centers for economic research and education. The Department's faculty has received numerous awards, including more Nobel Prize laureates and John Bates Clark medalists in economics than any other university. Among our faculty are many members of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Econometric Society.

Job Summary

Reporting to Julia Seither, Senior Research Associate, the Research Project Assistant supports the implementation of research field experiments and provides a wide range of administrative support that keeps the group’s research portfolio running smoothly. Working closely with faculty, research staff, and external partners, the assistant translates study designs into functioning field operations, documents and reports on milestones, and tracks expenses. This entry‑level role is well suited to someone early in a research career: the assistant works alongside faculty and senior research staff and builds hands‑on project‑management experience — helping coordinate study timelines and deliverables, tracking budgets and milestones, supporting vendor and field‑site relationships, and keeping research operations on schedule and in compliance with IRB and university requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of field experiments, including planning, scheduling, and monitoring study activities across research sites.
• Travel to field sites as needed.
• Collaborate with the Research Project Coordinator on field site visits and surveys.
• Support communication between the research team and external partners, vendors, and study sites to ensure protocols are executed accurately and on time.
• Provide technical and administrative support for research projects, including maintaining study supplies and tracking inventory.
• Assist with site visits and interact with human participants.
• Ensure experiments comply with university and IRB policies and procedures.
• Prepare reports and presentations for research team meetings.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of research compliance materials, including IRB protocols and related documentation.
• Provide assistance with correspondence, purchasing, and expense reconciliation.
• Provide day‑to‑day support for student RAs with project and research tasks.
• Identify operational issues as they arise and resolve routine ones using established procedures, escalating others to senior staff.
• Track project milestones, budgets, and deliverables.
• Assist finance partners with preparing budgets and expense reports.
• Support data collection efforts, including preparing materials and helping maintain data quality and integrity.
• May assist recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support.
• Is developing skills in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
• Collects and enters data.
• Assists in analyzing data.
• Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four‑year degree).
• 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: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Analytics, or a related field.
• Experience: Experience supporting research projects, field experiments, studies, or data collection.
• Experience working with human participants.
• Experience using data tools, statistical or survey software.
• Technical Skills or Knowledge: Knowledge of data management techniques. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Project management skills. Familiarity with SAP/Concur and GEMS.
• Preferred Competencies Strong organizational and project‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Attention to detail and a high degree of reliability and discretion. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced research environment. Ability to follow established protocols and procedures and troubleshoot routine issues.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References (required)

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 Hourly FLSA Status Non-Exempt Pay Range $21.79 - $28.21 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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The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.

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