Department

Booth Roman Family Center for Decision Research

About the Department

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:
-an unmatched faculty.
-degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
-a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
-strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.

For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary

The Roman Family Center for Decision Research (RF-CDR) is devoted to the study of how individuals form judgments and make decisions. Researchers at the RF-CDR examine the processes by which intuition, reasoning, and social interaction produce beliefs, judgments, and choices. The Assistant Director of the Epley Lab is primarily responsible for facilitating and managing research for Professor Nicholas Epley’s Self and Social Judgment Laboratory.

Research projects are in the domain of behavioral science, with an emphasis on social psychology, judgment, and decision-making. The Assistant Director is expected to conduct and manage research experiments with human participants, coordinate activities of graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, assist in the maintenance of the lab website and budget, and assist Professor Epley with course preparation.

Responsibilities

Oversight of data collection for human behavioral research projects conducted by Professor Nick Epley, the broader Self and Social Judgment Lab, and any of Professor Epley’s collaborators, including Ph.D. Candidates, postdoctoral principal researchers, University of Chicago faculty, and faculty across other academic  institutions. Partners with researchers and lab management to implement, monitor, launch, and sustain human behavioral research projects. Assists researchers with data storage and management as a trusted and conscientious research aide.Works proactively on Epley’s behalf to help researchers develop projects, including providing feedback and proofreading services for in-development studies. Oversees remote data collection through the Center for Decision Research Virtual Lab, Prolific, and other data collection services.Supervises, recruits and trains 6-8 part-time Research Assistants (RAs) to collect data.Develops their skills around recruitment, time management, multi-tasking and data analytics. Mentors and prepares RAs for serious research in the behavioral sciences, identifying strengths and weaknesses and providing feedback.Partners with Professor Epley directing the multi-stage hiring process for new post-doctoral principal researchers in his lab, including creating job postings, organizing and reviewing job materials, scheduling interviews, and managing the communication with candidates, Generates key figures for his lectures and demonstrations for a variety of audiences within and beyond the Booth community. Synthesizes data from class and speaking engagements into real time infographics to enable active learning about behavioral science. Conducts literature reviews to find reliable and rigorous peer-reviewed research surrounding topics of interest in behavioral science.Finds and reports on existing and nascent scientific studies, literature, and real-world examples in order to inform Prof. Epley’s ongoing writing and research.Proofreads drafts and pre-publications of research publications.Develops strategies to increase traffic for the CDR's labs on and off campus. Partners with other Lab Managers to better implement common systems for research assistants working across the city in the CDR's Pop-Up Labs. Works directly to recruit participants into ongoing studies.Develops methods for specialized recruitment on human behavioral research projects with more specialized  samples, such as speakers of less commonly spoken languages, romantic partners, and roommates. This includes but is not limited to, scheduling those studies, corresponding with participants, and developing promotional materials for the studies. Develops and maintains professional website and Canvas sites and prepares materials for Professor Epley’s courses. Manages Professor Epley’s RATS account through eLedgers, travel arrangements and expenses, GEMS reimbursement, and reports on expenses.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.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 in psychology, behavioral science, organizational behavior or marketing.Master’s degree.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). 

Preferred Competencies

Skills around reading, understanding, and synthesizing research in the behavioral and social sciences, including a familiarity with peer-reviewed academic research.Familiarity with methods of experimentation. Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, as well as organizational skills. Work independently with little supervision; possess a self-motivated disposition; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend effective changes, all while achieving key objectives resulting in desired outcomes. Handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions.Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with colleagues, as well as with students, faculty and corporate contacts in a multitude of communication methods such as in person, email, and phone. Professional demeanor, including conscientiousness, tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.

Working Conditions

This position is currently expected to work in the office.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (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

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

$55,000.00 - $62,000.00

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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