Research Manager

Department
 

UL Public Safety Portfolio 911

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago Health Lab is seeking an Implementation Manager to work on large-scale social policy research, data science, and program evaluation projects to support the development of effective policy interventions in the domain of 911 and alternative crisis response. The Implementation Manager will work to support a large-scale field-based program evaluation of alternative crisis response work in and around Chicago. This work is part of Health Lab’s larger 911 portfolio of projects, which includes a number of related projects in Chicago and several other cities nationwide. The Implementation Manager will have the opportunity to manage various stakeholder relationships and contribute to all aspects of research design, methods, and evaluation of research projects. Duties will include travelling to observe field operations and program sites to monitor and assess program implementation, managing and facilitating communication between Health Lab and external stakeholders, managing the project’s data collection process, providing updates and feedback on study progress to internal and external partners, and assisting in drafting a variety of project-related writings. The ideal candidate will be organized and able to execute multiple project workstreams, including setting project timelines and meeting key milestones. This position requires an individual who is able to work as a part of a small research team simultaneously running a variety of data and research collection endeavors. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers at the University of Chicago, partnering research, governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and advocates, as well as a team of administrative staff, project managers, and student research assistants. The Implementation Manager will also collaborate closely with the UChicago Urban Labs’ partners in the public and nonprofit sectors.

Job Summary
 

The job participates in scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day implementation of a large-scale policy research project based in Chicago, including primary and secondary research data collection, while ensuring fidelity to research ethics and study design.

• Must be available for frequent, in-person site visits to partner sites in Chicago. All COVID-19 precautions will be taken.

• Ensures that project deliverables are developed in a satisfactory and timely manner.

• Manages multiple project aims simultaneously and meets tight deadlines.

• Supervised other staff as needed.

• Contributes to research design and coordinates implementation with program partners and collaborators in the public and nonprofit sectors.

• Oversees quality control of data collection, including developing and maintaining the study’s research and dissemination processes.

• Coordinates project development and deliverables among all internal and external partners.

• Prepares IRB proposals, writing grant proposals and grant progress reports, and obtains research permission and data use agreements as needed.

• Performs literature reviews and assists in writing, proofreading, and fact-checking academic papers, reports, and presentations.

• Prepares research summaries for memos, spreadsheets, and presentations targeting both technical and non-technical audiences, including policymakers, academic researchers, and other stakeholders.

• Facilitates integration of community feedback into research process and generated products.

• 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.

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Work Experience:

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

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in criminal justice, economics, sociology, public health, public policy or another relevant field.

• Will consider applicants with equivalent lived experience.

Experience:

• Experience gained in school counts towards requirement.

• Managing complex projects with numerous stakeholders.

• Experience working with large and complex datasets.

• Experience in qualitative research and analysis.

• Collecting and managing qualitative and quantitative datasets.

• Working on field experiments and/or randomized controlled trials.

• Working with law enforcement, public health, or in emergency response.

• Coursework in policy analysis.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong interest in social policy.

• Previous program management experience including demonstrated success navigating various stakeholder interests to produce a common goal.

• Demonstrated capacity to work independently in an organized, detailed manner, while maintaining a collaborative team environment. Self-starter with ability to take initiative to move projects forward.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a broad array of partners.

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

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment.

• Knowledge and understanding of urban policy, social policy, criminal justice policy, and 911/ crisis response.

Working Conditions

• This role will be both outdoors and indoors. The role will require travel to partner sites and field observations. Some of the work will also be performed on phone, Zoom, email, and other digital formats.

• Requires the ability to work independently and virtually with teams for periods of eight (8) hours or more.

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

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
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 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.