Research Specialist - TCOM

US Diversity Job Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Department BSD PSY Lyons Program Strategy is seeking a Research Specialist to coordinate cross-team projects, schedules, and reporting, ensuring alignment with priorities. The role helps establish consistent project-management practices and may grow into supervising Project Managers as the team mature.

Responsibilities include developing plans, monitoring progress, producing updates for leadership, and collaborating across groups.

Qualifications

• College or university degree in related field.
• 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Experience coordinating programs, trainings, or projects is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a central point of coordination for cross-team projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and tracking tools.
• Monitor progress and provide regular updates and reports to leadership.
• Collaborate closely with all teams to align efforts, resources, and communications.
• Support the development of project management tools, templates, and SOPs.
• Facilitate meetings and ensure follow-up actions are completed.
• Contribute to organizational projects beyond core duties, such as event logistics or communications.
• Performs other related work as needed.
• Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Planner

Asana

Trello

Job description

DepartmentBSD PSY - Lyons Program Strategy

About the Department

To transform mental health through compassionate, innovative interdisciplinary care, pioneering research, and the education of future leaders dedicated to advancing the well-being of individuals, families, and their communities.

Job Summary

The Research Specialist supports the organization by coordinating projects, schedules, and reporting across all teams. This role ensures that organizational initiatives are well-structured, on track, and aligned with priorities. While not initially supervising staff, the Project Management Team Lead helps set consistent practices for project management and may grow into a supervisory role over Project Managers as the team develops.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a central point of coordination for cross-team projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and tracking tools.
• Monitor progress and provide regular updates and reports to leadership.
• Collaborate closely with all teams to align efforts, resources, and communications.
• Support the development of project management tools, templates, and SOPs.
• Facilitate meetings and ensure follow-up actions are completed.
• Contribute to organizational projects beyond core duties, such as event logistics or communications.
• Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design.
• Solves complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology.
• Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis.
• Designs and manages databases.
• Writes reports, articles and manuscripts.
• Presents research findings at meetings and conferences, as well as to funding agencies. Conducts literature reviews.
• Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: Experience with Microsoft Office 365 and project management tools (e.g., Planner, Asana, Trello).
• Experience coordinating programs, trainings, or projects strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in reporting and tracking.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Job FamilyResearch

Role ImpactIndividual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $90,000.00

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‑based approach 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.