Research Associate - Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics

Description

The Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at the University of Chicago invites applications for a full-time Research Associate for a three-year term starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. 

About the TMW Center

Co-directed by Dana Suskind (Biological Sciences Division), and John List (Economics), the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health aspires to create a population-level shift in the knowledge and behavior of parents and caregivers to optimize the foundational brain development in children, birth to five years of age, particularly those born into poverty. The TMW Center has conducted 12 randomized control, quasi-experimental and implementation trials to date and plans to continue its active randomized control and implementation trials, including ongoing data collection and analysis in the coming years.  As part of these research projects, the Center is continuing to adapt and validate two state-of-the-art tools: (1) the SPEAK - a computer-adaptive tool designed to assess caretaker expectations and knowledge of early childhood cognitive and language development, and (2) the Luet – a wearable device paired with an app that uses machine learning to measure early child development through language and physical movement.

Job Summary:

The Research Associate will work, in partnership with Co-Director Suskind and Senior Research Associate Pernaudet, to design and execute TMW Center research projects. Core responsibilities include conducting rigorous quantitative analyses, writing and publishing findings, presenting research, and leading grant applications in collaboration with Professors List and Suskind. The position entails collaboration on new and ongoing research projects, with a highly interdisciplinary team of economists, psychologists, engineers, app developers, and more. A primary focus of the work is applying economic models and machine learning techniques to empirical analysis of data generated from TMW Center’s research projects, including via Luet and the SPEAK.

The position will also allow the Research Associate to be part of the vibrant research environment of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health and the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics at The University of Chicago.  This position will report to the TMW Center Co-Directors, Dana Suskind and John List with additional reporting to the Center COO for matters outside of research. This position will require a commitment of at least 3 years.

This position is benefits-eligible. 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.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with Co-Director, develop research designs for TMW Center projects, including formulating testable research questions, selecting appropriate measurements, and ensuring clean identification of outcomes.
• At the direction of the Co-Director, write, submit, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.  Annual goal is, on average, to have at least four papers in progress and at least two submitted for publication.
• Disseminate TMW research findings to broader audiences by presenting in select conferences and meetings of early childhood researchers, psychologists, and economists.
• Maintain existing TMW Center research collaborations with faculty at the University of Chicago, as well as other national and international faculty with whom the Center is partnering on projects.
• Participate in and contribute to grant preparation process in a timely manner in close collaboration with the Co-Directors, potential Co-PIs, collaborators and consultants and the Grants and Contracts office.
• Participate in regularly scheduled TMW Center team meetings, lab meetings, and ‘papers’ meeting with Co-Director Suskind and weekly Econ meeting with Co-Director List. 

 Competencies:

• Excellent organizational, quantitative, and analytical skills with high-level of accuracy and sharp attention to detail required.
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse professional environment required.
• Ability to effectively manage a heavy workload, competing priorities, and tight deadlines required.
• A quick, self-learner with ability to initiate, organize, prioritize and complete multiple, high-level projects; meet tight deadlines; and work effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment