Research Specialist - TCOM

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading research division in Chicago is seeking a Research Specialist to support project coordination, data analysis, and organizational initiatives. The role involves developing project plans, monitoring progress, and collaborating with teams to align efforts. Candidates should have a degree related to the field and 5-7 years of relevant experience. Skills in Microsoft Office 365 and project management tools are preferred. This position offers a salary between $70,000 and $90,000 and comes with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in a related job discipline.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Experience coordinating programs or projects strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate cross-team projects and ensure alignment.
• Develop and maintain project plans and timelines.
• Monitor project progress and report updates.
• Support project management tool development and meetings.
• Contribute to organizational projects beyond core duties.

Skills

Project management

Data collection and analysis

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

College or university degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Planning tools (e.g., Planner, Asana, Trello)

Job description

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.

Department

BSD PSY - Lyons Program Strategy

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

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a 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

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)

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

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

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.