Saieh Family Research Fellow

Department

BFI Saieh Research Fellows

About the Department

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) works with the Chicago Economics community to turn its evidence-based research into real-world impact. BFI takes a unique approach to bridging the divide between academic researchers and decision-makers in the business community and government by translating and packaging the rigorous work of the Chicago Economics community into accessible formats, and proactively sharing those findings with relevant decision-makers and thought leaders around the globe. BFI is a collaborative platform serving the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Law School. For more information visit https://bfi.uchicago.edu.

Job Summary

The Becker Friedman Institute is seeking highly accomplished, early career researchers as Saieh Family Research Fellows in Economics. The position begins during the summer of 2025 and will be either a one- or two-year term of employment, depending on whether the Fellow accepts a full-time faculty position at the University. Drawing on the rich intellectual history of Chicago Economics, BFI is an international destination for intellectual exchange on economic analysis and policy. The Institute nurtures connections and fosters new collaboration between economic scholars at Chicago and leading economists from around the world. Through its outreach programs, BFI enhances and deepens the impact that economic research at Chicago has on public policy and on the broader public debate on important economic and social issues. The Saieh Family Fellow will pursue research on leading edge themes in the study of economics. The specific area of study will reflect the research interests of the candidate. As an integral part of the Institute's research activities, the candidate will be invited to organize academic conferences, host acclaimed scholars, and engage with the rich intellectual life of the University of Chicago.

This position leads and provides expertise to the development of programs for scientific research facilities. Uses considerable on-the-job experience to ensure compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies. Works independently to write articles, reports and manuscripts, and presents research findings at meetings and/or conferences.

Saieh Family Fellows spend one year as an integral part of the BFI’s research activities, June/July 2025 through June/July 2026, free from teaching requirements. They are free to pursue their own research and are invited to take advantage of the resources available at the BFI for organizing conferences, hosting visitors and engaging with the rich intellectual life of the University of Chicago. While visiting Chicago, they are part of BFI’s Saieh Family Research Fellows in Economics seminar series, which meets monthly. Additionally, it is expected that Saieh Family Fellows will attach themselves to one of the other seminar series on campus as a regular attendee and meeting with speakers.

Responsibilities

• Conducts and pursues research on leading edge themes in the study of economics. The specific area of study will reflect the research interests of the candidate.
• Engages with the Chicago economics community in a variety of possible ways including organizing academic conferences, hosting acclaimed scholars, and actively participating in the rich intellectual life at the University of Chicago.
• Spends one to two years as an integral part of the Becker Friedman Institute's research activities.
• Helps lead the Saieh Family Research Fellows seminar series, which meets monthly.
• Regularly attends and meets with speakers from one of the University's other seminar series on campus.
• Manages, plans, and evaluates regulatory elements of multiple or complex research projects for a designated department, program, or central unit.
• Ensures the identification, collection, and analysis of data that serve as a basis for outcome measurement of assigned research studies.
• Leads the establishment of new laboratories and provides assistance with purchasing new laboratory equipment; ensuring efficient operation of laboratory, including overseeing maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment.
• 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

Educ