Department

Crown Research Ming-Te Wang

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

The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, & Practice (Crown Family School) is seeking a full-time staff research professional working under the direction of the Professor and Faculty Director of the Urban Education Institute. The Research Specialist will have research expertise in the area of school and community-based mental health services. The primary activity of a Research Specialist is academic research in association with a faculty member or team. The successful candidate is required to have a PhD in educational psychology, or a closely related field.

The successful candidate will have a commitment to urban education, be deeply curious, and be willing to learn new methods and topics. The position requires someone who is able to independently handle multiple concurrent tasks and work in a highly collaborative environment. The Research Specialist will have opportunities to share findings and work collaboratively with other scholars and researchers, non-profit leaders, school practitioners, and district administrators. The successful candidate will contribute to the organization’s capacity to conduct rigorous, actionable quantitative research on school and community-based mental health services.

Responsibilities

Helps develop, design and conduct research projects aligned with the mission of the organization.  

Plans and conducts basic and applied research; facilitates and monitors daily activities research projects.

Supports data collection and analyses.  

Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.

Leads and contributes to scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts.

Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates

Trains and supervises research personnel as required for specific projects.

Serves as a liaison to schools and/or community-based organizations as needed.

Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform research-related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design.

Solves complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology.

Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis. Designs and manages databases. Writes reports, articles and manuscripts.

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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

A PhD in educational psychology, or a closely related field.

Preferred Competencies

Research expertise in the area of school and community-based mental health services.

Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project.

Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects.

Problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills.

Handling multiple concurrent tasks.

Ability to assimilate and incorporate newly acquired information in a timely manner.

Working Conditions

Hybrid work environment, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.

Some periods of high stress; constant interruptions with work environment.

Relatively sedentary position; frequent keyboarding and reading on-screen and printed text; extended time working at a computer.

Periodic travel to sites around Chicago.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (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

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

​
FLSA Status

Exempt

​
Pay Range

$80,000.00 - $87,600.00

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 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.

 

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.

 

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.