Job Title: Research Professional – Oeindrila Dube - AI and Machine Learning for Social Impact  (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)

Location: Chicago, IL 

Salary Ranges: $55,000–62,000 annual salary, additional $2,000 professional development fund. 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.

Terms: Seeking a Research Professional for a period of at least one but ideally two years 

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2026 

Department: Becker Friedman Institute  

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.

About the program

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with Professor Oeindrila Dube. Applicants must have completed a Bachelors degree by June 2026 and available to begin work in summer 2026. The Research Professional’s responsibilities will span all stages of research, including collecting data of in both tabular and spatial formats, developing algorithms that clean and organize data, conducting statistical analyses, running simulations, and preparing manuscripts and presentations. 

The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. Applicants must have strong quantitative and programming skills. Candidates with research experience are strongly preferred, especially those with experience in Stata, R, Python or Matlab. The ideal candidate would work for BFI for one or two years before applying to graduate school in Economics or another quantitative social science. BFI offers competitive salary and employee benefits. 

Job Summary 

Can cutting-edge AI make policing more equitable?  Can we infer what is in a police officer’s mind from observing their behavior? These are the kinds of question driving our research program, and we're looking for someone to help answer them. 

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking a full-time Research Professional to work with Oeindrila Dube, Philip K. Pearson Professor at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. This is a hands-on research role at the frontier of computer science and economics, with real stakes: the projects you'll work on aim to change how police interact with the public.  

We are applying NLP and machine learning to terabytes of body-worn camera footage to build tools that improve policing outcomes. We will evaluate the effectiveness of these tools using experimental methods. This work builds on "A Cognitive View of Policing" (QJE 2025). You will be working at real scale, using data that matters.  

The ideal candidate has strong training in computer science and economics or a related social science field. While you don’t need to have majored in economics, you should be excited to learn how economists think about leveraging NLP/AI tools and generate causal evidence. 

Why this, instead of a software job? 

If you're a CS student weighing this against a position in industry: the work here is harder in different ways, more collaborative, and the output is knowledge that gets published and used to inform real policy decisions. Pre-doctoral research positions like this one are a well-established pathway into PhD programs in economics, computer science, public policy, and related fields — and a growing number of CS researchers have found that combining their technical skills with training in causal inference opens up research questions that neither field can tackle alone. 

Unit-preferred Competencies

• Strong programming skills in Python, including experience with at least some machine learning libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, PyTorch, Hugging Face) 
• Has experience working with large structured/unstructured datasets in a research or internship setting
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously 
• Excellent organizational skills 
• Attention to detail 
• Strong academic writing/communication skills

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in CS, economics, statistics, math, or a related quantitative discipline

Experience

• At least one year of relevant research experience (coursework and school projects count)

Technical Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of R and/or Python preferred 
• Knowledge of STATA preferred 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Has experience in NLP, speech/ASR, or computer vision. 
• Has experience with R and Stata are a plus (as Stata is used in the field experiment work) 
• Has had exposure to causal inference or program evaluation — or is eager to develop these skills quickly.  

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Writing Sample (required)
• Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) (required)
• Two Professional References (required)

About the Department  

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics aims to foster frontier research and apply those findings to achieve global impact. BFI brings together researchers from the Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, the Law School, and the entire University of Chicago Economics Community to leverage robust data, apply cutting-edge analytical tools, and uncover novel insights on the world’s most difficult economic problems. BFI then bridges the divide between academic researchers and relevant policy makers by translating and packaging rigorous research into accessible formats and proactively sharing those findings with decision-makers and thought leaders in business, government and nonprofit institutions. In this way, BFI has the potential to play a significant role in meeting the most difficult challenges facing the global community. 

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.

Job Title: Research Professional – Oeindrila Dube (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)

Location: Chicago, IL 

Salary Ranges: $55,000–62,000 annual salary, additional $2,000 professional development fund. 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.

Terms: Seeking a Research Professional for a period of at least one but ideally two years 

Projects: Projects include applying rigorous empirical methods to some of the most important questions in development economics and political economy 

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2026 

Department: Becker Friedman Institute  

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.

About the program

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking a full-time Research Professional to work with Oeindrila Dube, Philip K. Pearson Professor at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. This is a hands-on research role applying rigorous empirical methods to some of the most important questions in development economics and political economy. 

The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. Applicants must have strong quantitative and programming skills. Candidates with research experience are strongly preferred, especially those with experience in Stata, R, Python or Matlab. The ideal candidate would work for BFI for one or two years before applying to graduate school in Economics or another quantitative social science. BFI offers competitive salary and employee benefits. 

Job Summary 

Can dialogue between warring groups reduce violence? And, how does media influence social and cultural norms? These are the kinds of questions driving this research, and we're looking for someone to help answer them. 

What you'll work on 

Two major projects form the core of this role: 

• Conflict and dialogue in Nigeria: In collaboration with James Robinson (UChicago) and Soeren Henn (U Wisconsin-Madison), we are analyzing the results of a large-scale field experiment studying how contact between warring groups affects farmer-herder violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt.  

• Impact of media on social norms and culture: In collaboration with Joshua Blumenstock (UC Berkeley) and Karrar Hussein (AUB) we are investigating how exposure to western media affect gender norms and gender inequality in an Islamic society. This project brings together novel big data sources and causal identification strategies to understand deep-rooted disparities. 

Who we're looking for 

The ideal candidate has strong quantitative training in economics or a related field and is genuinely curious about how political and social forces shape conflict, development, and gender inequality. Experience working with large datasets is central to this role.

Why this role? 

The position is intended to bridge the gap between the classroom and graduate school for students in empirical research through applied research work. Applicants interested in pursuing PhDs in Economics, Public Policy, or Political Economy are encouraged to apply. You will gain deep exposure to frontier empirical methods, receive mentorship from faculty, and contribute to projects with direct policy relevance. The collaborative nature of these projects also means you will interact with a broader network of leading researchers across institutions. This position provides access to UChicago coursework, allowing you to address potential gaps in academic background. 

Unit-preferred Competencies

• Proficient in writing replicable data files on Stata and/or R; experience with Python is a plus 
• Strong understanding of causal inference methods — randomized controlled trials, difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, or related approaches  
• Experience working with large datasets, including cleaning and merging complex data from multiple sources 
• Congenial interpersonal skills required to manage projects, including scheduling and managing timelines.  
• Strong writing and communication skills to help prepare literature reviews, produce presentations, and write reports.  
• Excellent organizational skills 
• Attention to detail 
• Strong academic writing/communication skills

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, statistics or a related quantitative discipline

Experience

• At least one year of relevant research experience (coursework and school projects count)

Technical Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of R and/or Python preferred 
• Knowledge of STATA preferred 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Has experience designing survey instruments or accurately encoding survey data; 
• Experience with geospatial data is also a plus 
• Is comfortable with version control and collaborative coding (git/GitHub) 
• Has familiarity with the IRB process and applications 
• Has familiarity with AI-powered coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, Codex) 

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Writing Sample (required)
• Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) (required)
• Two Professional References (required)

About the Department  

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics aims to foster frontier research and apply those findings to achieve global impact. BFI brings together researchers from the Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, the Law School, and the entire University of Chicago Economics Community to leverage robust data, apply cutting-edge analytical tools, and uncover novel insights on the world’s most difficult economic problems. BFI then bridges the divide between academic researchers and relevant policy makers by translating and packaging rigorous research into accessible formats and proactively sharing those findings with decision-makers and thought leaders in business, government and nonprofit institutions. In this way, BFI has the potential to play a significant role in meeting the most difficult challenges facing the global community. 

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.

Job Title: Research Professional (RP) 

Location: Chicago, IL 

Salary Ranges: $55,000–62,000 annual salary, additional $2,000 professional development fund. 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.

Terms: Seeking a Research Professional for a period of at least one but ideally two years 

Projects: Projects related to spatial economics and economic geography

Expected Start Date: July 1, 2026 

Department: Becker Friedman Institute  

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.

Job Summary 

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with Visiting Professor Brian Greaney and UChicago Professors Adao, Castro-Vincenzi and Rossi-Hansberg on ongoing and new research projects related to spatial economics and economic geography. Applicants must have completed a Bachelors degree by June 2026 and available to begin work in summer 2026.

The Research Professional’s responsibilities will be integral to the projects of the Spatial Dynamics Incubator within the Kenneth C. Griffin Applied Economics Incubator, and will span all stages of research, including collecting and processing tabular and spatial data, developing data pipelines, conducting econometric analysis, running structural simulations, and contributing to manuscripts and presentations. A central component of the role will be the development and maintenance of efficient, well-structured, and fully reproducible code to advance quantitative research in spatial economics and economic geography.

Unit-Specific Responsibilities

• Leads the development and maintenance of scalable, well-documented, and reproducible computational infrastructure for quantitative modeling and simulation in spatial economics and economic geography.
• Cleans and analyzes data.
• Writes or finalizes replicable data files or scripts for publication.
• Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures.
• Assists with writing data analysis plans and contributes to preparing study registration documents.
• Supports the implementation of field experiments including supporting the design and implementation of surveys, and monitoring the quality of data collected, when needed.
• Supports with writing of grant and policy reports and assists with drafting presentations of research findings.
• Takes responsibility for the following non-laboratory duties: transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments; presenting research; and recruiting and scheduling research subjects. Acquires higher-level skills and knowledge in the process.
• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.
• Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Unit-preferred Competencies

• Experience in econometrics.
• Advanced coursework in Economics or Mathematics.
• Strong programming skills in multiple languages such as Python, MATLAB, or Julia, with the ability to write efficient, well-documented, and reproducible code.
• Familiarity in analyzing large data sets, applying econometrics methods.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques in data analysis.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis packages such as Stata, R, or Python.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Work both independently and as a team member.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education

• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related field.

Experience

• Previous research assistance experience contributing meaningfully to faculty research.
• Advanced knowledge of research techniques and methods in relevant scientific field.

Academic Background

• Dual degree or strong coursework in Economics and Computer Science, or completion of interdisciplinary programs such as computational social science, econometrics-intensive data science, or economics-oriented CS programs
• Graduate work emphasizing quantitative methods, machine learning, or computational economics is a plus

Technical Knowledge/Skills

• Strong programming skills in multiple languages such as Python, MATLAB, or Julia, with the ability to write efficient, well-documented, and reproducible code.
• Familiarity in analyzing large data sets, applying econometrics methods.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques in data analysis.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis packages such as Stata, R, or Python.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Writing Sample (required)
• Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) (required)
• Two Professional References (required)

About the Department  

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics aims to foster frontier research and apply those findings to achieve global impact. BFI brings together researchers from the Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, the Law School, and the entire University of Chicago Economics Community to leverage robust data, apply cutting-edge analytical tools, and uncover novel insights on the world’s most difficult economic problems. BFI then bridges the divide between academic researchers and relevant policy makers by translating and packaging rigorous research into accessible formats and proactively sharing those findings with decision-makers and thought leaders in business, government and nonprofit institutions. In this way, BFI has the potential to play a significant role in meeting the most difficult challenges facing the global community. 

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.