Research Director

Department

Energy & Environment Research

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:

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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.
• This is a part-time position of approximately 22 hours per week.

Application Documents

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

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

22.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$61,200.00 - $74,000.00

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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