Research Program Administrator

Department

PSD Data Science Staff

About the Department

The University of Chicago Data Science Initiative (DSI) is a collaboration of scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners pursuing the methodological, societal, and domain-oriented challenges of our increasingly data-centric world. The DSI is a research center setting the intellectual agenda for the field and an innovator and provider of data education at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Integral to DSI’s success includes the rewarding engagement outside the walls of the University through meaningful partnerships with industry, government, and the community.

Job Summary

The Research Program Administrator performs a range of professional activities in support of DSI research initiatives, research programs, and faculty research grant support. The incumbent provides managerial and administrative oversight of the high school and undergraduate summer research programs, including the planning, directing, coordinating and daily operations. The incumbent will provide opportunities for students to engage in DSI research programs and initiatives throughout the academic year. Reporting to the DSI Senior Director of Research Programs and Strategy, the Research Program Administrator works to meet the needs of the DSI to ensure effective and efficient operations and advance DSI research programs. This position provides professional support for grant administration, purchasing, procurement, program operations and planning, and academic events and activities.

This position is eligible for a partial remote work arrangement.

Responsibilities

• Maintains awareness, reporting timelines, spending and budget management and annual communications needs for DSI-administered student research programs.
• Works closely with DSI leadership, staff, and relevant partners to plan and develop deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for  Data Science Social Impact summer program, and other new student research programs.
• Develops budgets for programs and works with PIs, staff, faculty, and financial admin to ensure compliance with grant reporting requirements that includes progress reports and final reports; utilizes information included in progress and final reports to create content highlighting the program impact and translation of results.
• Working closely with faculty leadership, organizes the REU summer research program around the areas of AI+Science: AI+Materials, AI+Earth, AI+Biology, and AI+Astrophysics.
• Assists in the pursuit of grants and foundation proposals. Supports proposals by working closely with DSI leadership and faculty when appropriate.
• Manages hiring and oversight of student research and/or technical staff for programs.
• Implements protocols for evaluating the effectiveness of student research programs.
• Manages the daily operations of high school and undergraduate research programs throughout the academic year and summer.
• Leads admissions, recruiting, and enrollment of student research programs.
• Serves as primary point of contact for academic partners, students, alumni, and faculty mentors.
• Coordinates with faculty leadership of MS in data science and undergraduate data science to facilitate student research project placement throughout the academic year and summer.
• Provides Senior Director of Research Programs and Strategy and faculty leadership with budget updates as needed.
• Drafts and publishes communications content through authorized channels, such as website and email, to ensure content is up-to-date and accessible to key stakeholders.
• Develops programs to build student community within the department throughout the academic year and summer.
• Addresses student concerns as they develop in coordination with faculty leadership and appropriate University offices.
• Assists in purchasing, reimbursement and monitoring expenses for programs and initiatives.
• Assists DSI leadership team with operational and administrative needs as requested.
• Assists in event planning and execution, including creation of workflows and other necessary tracking documents to ensure details are appropriately managed and timelines are attended to.
• Sets and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• Has moderate/high levels of interactions with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• 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:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of progressively responsible research or academic program administrative experience.
• Administrative experience in student affairs, academic support, or closely related environment.
• Previous experience with quality improvement practices.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Competencies 

• Previous experience in higher education setting.
• Self-starter who can operate in a complex administrative environment with limited oversight.
• Attention to detail.
• Familiarity with general business practices, in particular budget and deliverable tracking.
• Commitment to providing a high level of service and working in a team environment.
• High degree of professionalism and emotional intelligence.
• Handle confidential information with utmost discretion.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

Working Conditions 

• This position is eligible for a partial remote work arrangement.
• Occasional evening or weekend work.

Application Documents 

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

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$65,000.00 - $80,000.00

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.

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