Department

Crown DISC Lab

About the Department

As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff and students focus on identifying solutions to complex problems through the integration of research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions.

More than 8,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, and at governmental agencies The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers. These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Urban Education Institute (UEI), , the Center for Health Administration Studies, the Smart Decarceration Project, and the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet). More information may be found at https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Project Manager for grant-funded research projects within the Development-in-Sociocultural-Context (DISC) Research Lab. As the Project Manager, you will perform a variety of project management support and data collection duties for multiple federally funded research projects. This position will be responsible for maintaining project databases and coordinating local, state, and nationwide research efforts.

The applicant must have outstanding organizational and communication skills, project management abilities, and academic writing skills. Mistakes in interpersonal communications could have dire results for this project. To produce products, we will need to rely on the cooperation and good will of many people. The person filling this position will need to communicate the importance of their voluntary participation, willingness of the project to accommodate their schedules and gratitude for their involvement. Mistakes along these lines could be irreparable. The ideal candidate should possess a strong work ethic and be able to work collaboratively as well as independently. This position requires knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS, and Qualtrics.

The position is grant funded, with the term of the assignment continuing for the duration of the initial grant and subsequent grant renewals. While the standard working hours are 20/week, during data collection or high activity points in the project, additional hours may be required. Overtime at time and a half will be applied when more than 40 hours are necessary in a given week.

Responsibilities

Financial and Administrative Oversight - maintains accurate financial records, coordinates with grant administrators on expenditures, and prepares financial reports for funders. Manages office resources, including calendars, supplies, and electronic files. Supervises temporary staff and student workers as needed.Project Coordination and Reporting - develops timelines, delegates responsibilities, and tracks progress toward research goals. Ensures timely submission of applications and reports, including IRB and funding agency correspondence.Research Implementation and Data Management - oversees data-related tasks to ensure procedural consistency survey administration through data cleaning. Compiles and analyzes data for reports directed at participants, school districts, and the academic community. Coordinates with Principal Investigators and research leadership on IRB applications and compliance.Participant Recruitment and Communication - serves as the primary research contact, managing communication between Principal Investigators, research partners, and stakeholders. Handles participant recruitment, consent/assent, reimbursement, and retention processes.Applies research principles 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.Takes responsibility for the following non-laboratory duties: transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments; presenting research; and recruiting and scheduling research subjects. Acquires higher-level skills and knowledge in the process.Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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:

Master’s degree in related field strongly preferred.

Experience:

2-5 years experience with research project management, preferably in the field of education, developmental psychology, family studies, or other applied discipline.2-5 years experience interacting with children or adolescents within school, family, or community settings.Prior experience with conducting research within applied or clinical settings.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Work with spreadsheets, simple statistical packages (SPSS), and survey platforms (Qualtrics).Working knowledge of policy and practice innovations related to childcare and early education with an eagerness to develop further knowledge in these areas.

Preferred Competencies

Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail.Balance and prioritize work tasks effectively and on time.Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical editing skills.Maintain confidentiality and follow University policies regarding data security.

Working Conditions

Hybrid work schedule possible, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.Travel to external stakeholder sites as needed.This is a part-time position of approximately 20 hours per week.During data collection or high activity points in the project, additional hours above 20/week may be required. Overtime at time and a half will be applied when more than 40 hours are necessary in a given week.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)Cover Letter, describing their research goals and training, including why their background and interests meet the requirements of the position (required)Three Letters of Reference (required)One Writing Sample (required)

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

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

20

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

​
FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

​
Pay Range

$25.00 - $35.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

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.

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

 

Staff 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.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.