Career Center

Job Description:

• Oversees all aspects of the day-to-day operation of multiple research projects focused on homelessness prevention, including developing comprehensive project plans; creating and managing project budgets; assigning staffing allocations to meet project deliverables; translating insights from data analysis into actionable findings for partners; complying with deliverables for specific grants and funders; and developing materials to disseminate findings for multiple audiences (academic, partners, and the public).

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with research partners, government agencies, nonprofits, and other community groups.

• Helps identify research and analytic projects that are aligned with partner priorities and gaps in the existing research literature.

• Contributes to study design and manages the implementation of research protocols with program partners, including participant recruitment, selection, and randomization (if applicable) and traveling to program sites to monitor and assess implementation.

• Writes human subjects permission protocols and amendments for IRB permission, and obtains other research permits as needed with little to no guidance.

• Collaborates with research analysts to translate findings from data analysis into actionable insights for partners and policymakers.

• Ensures the faithful implementation of University of Chicago IRB procedures, including maintaining confidentiality of participant information and ensuring compliance with institutional, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates.

• Works with Program Director, Principal Investigator(s), and Finance Manager to develop budgets and coordinate all aspects of grant submission to secure project funding; manages progress reports, performance, or financial reporting as required by the granting agency.

• Generates written content for research and policy reports, presentations, blog posts, and dissemination events; partners with research analysts to help interpret analytic findings and ensure tables and graphs are clear and accurate.

• Prepares project memos, summaries, and presentations as needed to engage research partners in all stages of the research cycle.

• Will directly supervise, coach, and identify professional development opportunities for other research staff.

• With the Program Director, scopes new partners and projects and participates in project selection decisions.

• Begins to represent the organization to external partners.

• Helps build the culture of the organization by helping lead enterprise-wide committees and serving as a mentor to junior staff.

• Conducts or delegates literature reviews and best practice policy scans to help inform the development of the research agenda.

• Applies research principals and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.

• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives and mandates.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Masterâ™s degree.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience working with communities that have experienced segregation and disinvestment.

• First generation college students and those with lived experience in communities experiencing poverty and disinvestment are encouraged to apply.

• Prior experience working with local organizations in housing or homeless services.

• Knowledge of urban policy, social policy, behavioral economics and research literature on housing and homelessness.  

• Previous experience working in a research organization or managing research projects.

• Prior experiencing managing a full-time staff member or intern.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to engage thoughtfully with issues related to race, identity, and equity and work across lines of difference.

• Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.

• Ability to plan for contingencies and uncertainty and mitigate external risks.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data in a simple and straightforward way for non-technical audiences.

• Comfort with research methods and ability to explain them to external audiences.

• Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask, delegate, and prioritize activities to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.

• Ability to think independently and offer constructive upward feedback.

• Ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential data.

• Demonstrated professional maturity.

• Ability to help a team navigate ambiguity.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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