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.

View open positions and apply below. 

Open Positions

The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with Damon Jones, Associate Professor. Successful candidates will work directly with Prof. Jones and co-authors as a part of Socieconomic Inequalities Initiative and BFI’s Predoctoral Research in Economics Program (PREP). Professor Jones conducts research at the intersection of three fields: public finance, household finance, and labor economics. The position entails collaboration on new and ongoing research on inequality in household financial outcomes, guaranteed income programs, labor markets, and racial equity. Part of the job entails working with administrative data sets and implementing and analyzing large-scale randomized controlled trials. This is a unique opportunity to learn how to work with such data and methods.

The program is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. Applicants must have completed a Bachelors degree by July 2025 and 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 begin on August 15, 2024 and 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.

Unit-specific Responsibilities:

  • Write programs in Stata, R, Python to analyze large datasets
  • Construct maps, figures, and tables for economics papers
  • Identify new data sources
  • Conduct literature reviews
  • Help administer surveys
  • Editing tasks
  • Other duties as assigned

Unit-preferred Competencies:

  • Desired (but not required) skills include advanced familiarity with numerical optimization and package development in R and/or Python, and the ability to use Stata 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

Preferred Qualifications:

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in economics, computer sciences, engineering, or related STEM fields is highly desirable.

Experience

  • Relevant research experience as a research assistant.

Technical Knowledge/Skills

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

Required Documents:

  • Resume/CV
  • Writing sample
  • Transcripts (unofficial is ok)

The University of Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, and job seekers. No person shall be discriminated against in employment or harassed because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, parental status, ancestry, source of income, or other classes protected by law. This policy includes the commitment to maintaining a work environment free from unlawful harassment.

Inspired by our namesakes, Nobel Laureates Gary Becker and Milton Friedman, who believed that economic research could help improve the world, 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.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Senior Officer, Research Support, the Research Support Coordinator provides administrative support and oversees the day-to-day success across several key initiatives at the Becker Friedman Institute. The position coordinates logistics and communication for events, trainings, and research activities tied to BFI’s research assistant -program, the Expanding Discovery in Economics (EDE+) initiative, Pre-doctoral Research in Economics Program (PREP), the Saieh Fellows Program, and the Visitors Program. Responsibilities include managing application and scheduling workflows, assisting with faculty and student communications, tracking payments and placements, and maintaining organized records and documentation. The role also serves as a first point of contact for faculty support and contributes to the successful execution of events and programs across the Institute.

This position provides business support for non-technical (not information technology or construction related) projects from conception to completion. Performs administrative duties as they relate to the assembly of teams and the development of detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports.

Responsibilities

  • Helps distribute and post CFPs.
  • Assists in logistics and event planning for research support meetings/events/trainings.
  • Coordinates communications with faculty and students.
  • Tracks payments, schedules, and RA placement logistics.
  • Manages scheduling and event logistics for programming.
  • Helps with application intake and administrative support during institute.
  • Handles scheduling for trainings, retreats, and events.
  • Supports communication with fellows and faculty supervisors.
  • Answers day-to-day inquiries from program stakeholders.
  • Coordinates visitor logistics, including travel, space, etc.
  • Serves as first-line support for faculty questions.
  • Helps track and file relevant forms and documents.
  • Assists with documentation for gift impact and recordkeeping systems.
  • Assists team with coordination of daily projects for the department, maintain general office supply inventory, point of contact for resolving any issues concerning equipment or space. Help facilitate special events and conferences.
  • With direction, assists in tracking progress and identifying obstacles for project completion.
  • Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

  • Knowledge of UChicago systems and GEMS.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly with Word and Excel.
  • Create Microsoft Excel reports to manage, update, and organize data.

Preferred Competencies

  • Self-starter with a high level of attention to detail.
  • Strong written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
  • Excellent organizational skills and problem-solving skills.
  • Follow an issue through to resolution.
  • Considerable skill in working both independently and as a team member.
  • Take initiative, organize, and complete projects with minimal supervision.
  • Interest in overall stakeholder experience and positively impact that experience.​

Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)
  • Cover Letter (required)
  • Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

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.

The Chicago Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC) anticipates hiring a Research Administrator for their branch lab located on the University of Chicago campus. The Chicago FSRDC UChicago branch provides qualified researchers, with approved projects, the opportunity to perform statistical analyses using confidential/restricted-use microdata from the U.S. Census Bureau and other Federal Agencies. The Administrator responsibilities include (though not limited to):

  • Working with researchers on proposal development and project management,
  • Ensuring that proposals and projects are properly documented in management and tracking systems,
  • Implementing Census Bureau’s policies and procedures concerning data stewardship,
  • Participating in network-wide activities that advance the growth and development of the overall FSRDC program,
  • Maintaining an active research agenda, and
  • Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the FSRDC UChicago branch lab.

The Chicago FSRDC UChicago branch lab is located on the campus of the University of Chicago in Saieh Hall for Economics under the oversight of the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics, which is a rigorous academic/research environment. The position is expected to start fall 2025, with some flexibility and subject to Federal hiring processes. Due to the Federal hiring process, only U.S. Citizens are eligible for this role.

Qualified candidates should have a graduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in an empirical (data-driven) social science discipline such as economics, sociology, demography, or applied statistics. Strong writing, communication, and organization skills are a must. Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines.

The Chicago FSRDC UChicago branch is currently conducting preliminary recruiting for the position. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume/C.V., at least three professional references, and a sample of professional writing. Candidates will also be required to undergo the formal Federal hiring process, as well as pass security clearance checks. The selected candidate will become an employee of the U.S. Census Bureau, which manages the FSRDC program.

More information about the FSRDC program is available here.

Questions regarding this position can be sent to bfiresearchsupport@uchicago.edu. 

The Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. It was founded and is led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer. The Predoctoral Research in Economics Program (PREP) is intended to serve as a bridge between college and graduate school for students interested in empirical economics. The program offers unique research and professional training opportunities at the University of Chicago. PREP sits within the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics. BFI is a collaborative platform serving the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Development Innovation Lab, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Law School. For more information visit https://bfi.uchicago.edu and https://bfi.uchicago.edu/info-for/prep/.

Job Summary

DIL is seeking to hire a full-time Research Professional to work with Professor Michael Kremer, Nobel Laureate, and possibly other faculty as part of the Development Innovation Lab. Successful applicants will collaborate on new and ongoing research in development 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.

Responsibilities

  • Under limited direction, performs complex lab and/or research-related duties and tasks.
  • Supports data collection. Develops data collection instruments, trains and oversees the work of research support personnel, and monitors data quality.
  • Supports analytical needs of research projects. Collects, records, and analyzes data. Builds, manages, and maintains project databases.
  • Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports, manuscripts, and other documents.
  • Supports the design and implementation of experiments, interacting with research subjects and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.
  • Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
  • Presents research findings at staff meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences.
  • Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.
  • Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Work Experience:

Minimum of one year of work experience in a related job discipline. Experience gained through coursework may be counted as relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • Advanced degree in economics, mathematics, computer science, statistics, public policy, engineering or comparable field.

Experience:

  • A minimum of one to two years of relevant research experience. Experience gained in school counts towards this qualification.
  • Experience working, studying, or spending significant time in developing countries.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

  • Knowledge of mathematics and statistics (strong preference for candidates with GRE scores above 165).
  • Knowledge of research techniques and methods used in impact evaluations, particularly, randomized controlled trials.

 Preferred Competencies

  • Advanced coursework in Economics or Mathematics.
  • 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.

 Working Conditions

  • Perform tasks mostly indoors in an office setting.
  • Work independently for periods of eight (8) hours or more.
  • Spend extended periods traveling for field work.

Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)
  • Cover Letter (required)
  • Professional References Contact Information (3)(required)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The University of Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, and job seekers. No person shall be discriminated against in employment or harassed because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, parental status, ancestry, source of income, or other classes protected by law. This policy includes the commitment to maintaining a work environment free from unlawful harassment.

Human Resources Team

Reem Shammoka

Assistant Director of Human Resources, Becker Friedman Institute for Economics