Data Science Research Manager

Department

Energy & Environment Lab

About the Department

The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth is a groundbreaking effort uniting faculty from across the university to advance society’s understanding of our energy and climate future. The Institute combines faculty insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technology to produce world-changing ideas while also investing in the next generation of energy and climate thinkers, leaders, and innovators through novel educational programs.

The University of Chicago Energy and Environment Lab (E&E Lab) partners with agencies at the federal, state, and local level to identify, rigorously evaluate, and help scale programs and policies that reduce pollution and improve environmental outcomes, while ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy. The E&E Lab applies rigorous evaluation and modeling methods, including natural and field experiments, randomized controlled trials, behavioral economics, and machine learning, to help policymakers identify and generate evidence on innovative approaches and policy solutions to their most pressing environmental and energy challenges.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago Energy and Environment Lab (E&E Lab) is seeking a Data Science Research Manager (RM) with strong research, methodological, and management skills to support large-scale environmental policy research projects. The RM will manage a growing portfolio of projects, including machine learning projects, designed to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of promising energy and environmental interventions. The RM will contribute to the design, implementation, and analysis of energy and environment research projects with direct applicability for policymakers. The RM will work closely with U.S. government agencies, municipal governments, researchers, and a dedicated team of research analysts, data scientists, and staff, to support research projects.

Responsibilities

• Constructs, trains, and deploys scalable machine learning algorithms for a variety of research projects.
• Manages project teams and junior staff, leads task supervision and quality oversight.
• Works with partners to identify analytical approaches to answer specific research questions or provide analytical support to government partners.
• Meaningfully contributes to research design, analysis, and implementation of policy-relevant research projects.
• Manages data collection, data science analysis, and provides quality assurance for research projects.
• Manages research partnerships with government agencies and serves as project manager for research and technical assistance projects, including communications and project deliverables.
• Prepares results for memos, presentations, and papers targeting both policymakers and academic audiences.
• Ensures compliance with institutional, state and federal regulatory policies and procedures as well as internal data privacy and security policies.
• Assists with writing grant proposals and managing grant reports.
• 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:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in data science, economics, statistics, computer science or related field.
• Coursework in data science, statistics, econometrics, and computer science.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with R and Python.
• Proficiency in working with large and complex datasets.
• Applying data science methods and machine learning algorithms in operational environments.
• Explaining complex statistical ideas and/or research projects to non-experts.
• Proficiency with GitHub.
• Working on field experiments / randomized controlled trials.
• Understanding of relational databases.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong background in applied statistics and econometrics. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and present research concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong time management skills with a proven ability to multitask and prioritize activities to successfully complete projects on tight deadlines with little supervision.
• Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Work both independently in a self-directed manner, and as a team member.
• Knowledge and understanding of energy and environmental policy topics.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)
• Transcripts, unofficial transcripts are acceptable (required)

Job Family

Research

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

$72,500.00 - $75,000.00

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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