Research Professional | Oeindrila Dube
Job Title: Research Professional – Oeindrila Dube (Full-Time, Benefits Eligible)
Location: Chicago, IL – Hyde Park Campus, Saieh Hall / Remote
Expected Start Date: 7/1/2023
Job Summary:
The Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) is seeking to recruit a full-time Research Professional to work with Oeindrila Dube, Professor at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. The research professional would play an integral part on projects that tackle important research questions in economics and political economy, answered through field experiments and natural experiments using big data sources. The focus of these research projects include understanding the economic drivers of religiosity, identifying the cultural origins of gender equity, and determining if contact between different cultural groups can mitigate the occurrence of economic conflicts.
The big data projects encompass use of terabytes of digital trace data from cell phone users as well as massive quantities of satellite and remote sensing data. These projects are joint with Joshua Blumenstock (Professor, U.C. Berkeley). The setting of the field experimental project is the middle belt of Nigeria, and is joint with James Robinson, (Professor, University of Chicago), and Soeren Henn (Professor, Newcastle University Business School).
The position is for one year, with the possibility of renewing for a second year, based on assessments of mutual fit and performance.
Unit-specific Responsibilities:
- Work experience with field experiments or randomized controlled trials.
- Familiarity with program evaluation methods and non-experimental methods for causal inference (e.g., difference-in-differences, propensity score matching, regression discontinuity).
- Experience creating data visualizations.
- Have prior experience with object-oriented programming and/or data engineering, and a demonstrated ability to efficiently process large volumes of data.
- Feel comfortable working in a CLI environment and have basic familiarity with Linux shell commands.
- Have experience coding in Python.
- Have a basic knowledge of git (e.g., add-commit-push-pull).
Unit-preferred Competencies:
- Have a sufficiently strong interest in pursuing a PhD (whether in economics, public policy, political science, data science, computer science, or other related field), and to invest in this interest during their fellowship.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education
- Bachelor's degree in economics, computer sciences, engineering, or related STEM fields is highly desirable.
Experience
- Have training in econometric methods.
- Have at least one year of relevant research experience. (Experience gained in school counts toward this requirement).
Technical Knowledge/Skills
- Are proficient with statistical analysis in Stata and R.
- Knowledge of Python preferred
- Are analytically minded, detail-oriented, great communicators and work well as team players
Required Documents:
- Resume/CV
- Writing sample
- Transcripts (unofficial is ok)
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