Research Professional - Health Economics Initiative (Multiple Hires)

Job Title: Research Professional (RP)

Location: Chicago, IL

Salary Ranges: $59,000–62,000 annual salary, additional $2,000 professional development fund

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

Expected Start Date: Flexible - Summer 2027

Reporting to: Joshua Gottlieb, Matthew Notowidigdo, Zarek Brot, Maggie Shi

Department: Becker Friedman Institute

Job Summary

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with Joshua Gottlieb, Matthew Notowidigdo, Zarek Brot, and/or Maggie Shi on ongoing and new research projects related to research in the economics of health. This includes developing new ideas, identifying and cleaning data sources, preparing and conducting analyses, and shaping the results for presentation and publication. Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree prior to Summer 2027. Successful candidates will work directly with BFI Health Initiative Faculty and co-authors as part of BFI's Predoctoral Research in Economics Program (PREP). The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. 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.

Past Research Professionals in this position have been admitted to graduate school at Princeton (Economics), University of Chicago (Economics), Northwestern (Economics), Northwestern (Kellogg), Harvard (Health Policy), University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) and other excellent programs in the United States and abroad.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Responsibilities

• Write programs in Stata, R, and/or Python to analyze large datasets
• Construct maps, figures, and tables for economics papers
• Identify new data sources
• Editing tasks
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Competencies:

• Desired (but not required) skills include advanced familiarity with programming, and the ability to manage and analyze large datasets. Although previous experience with any specific language is not essential, familiarity with at least one scripting language is encouraged.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong academic writing/communication skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Minimum Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor's degree in economics, computer science, science, engineering, or related STEM fields from an accredited university. 

Experience: Relevant research experience as a research assistant.

Technical Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of R, Python, Stata preferred

Application Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter
• Writing Sample
• Coding Sample
• Transcripts (unofficial accepted)
• Two professional references

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.

Disclaimer: The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.