Predoctoral Scholar

Department PSD Data Science: Research Staff Job Summary The Data and Democracy Research Lab, under the direction of PI Moon Duchin, seeks to train a new generation of research leaders through a two‑year, predoctoral program. The program bridges broad undergraduate education to specialized doctoral studies in fields such as data science, applied mathematics, computer science, statistics, geography, demography, sociology, political science, economics, and public policy. Predoctoral scholars will fully participate in the activities of the Data and Democracy Research Initiative, gaining research and coding skills, domain knowledge in census and geospatial data, electoral systems, and effective data visualization. Candidates should be eager to dive into research projects, communicate findings to diverse audiences, and thrive in a collaborative environment. Responsibilities Apply mathematical and computational ideas to the study of voting, elections, and collective decision making. Actively participate in research projects. Write and publish reports and research papers. Develop and test research code for open‑source software packages. Collaborate with research team members and policy partners. Provide technical and administrative support for research projects. Analyze and maintain data and/or specimens. Conduct literature reviews. Assist with preparation of reports, manuscripts, and other documents. Perform other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: A college or university degree in a related field. Work Experience: Knowledge and skills developed through less than two years of related work experience. Preferred Qualifications Depth of coursework in both STEM and humanities/social sciences, demonstrating breadth and critical thinking. Prior coding experience in Python or R, with a willingness to learn Python‑based tools. Experience in community engagement and wide‑audience communication. Demonstrated interest in democratic systems and civil rights. Experience in data analysis, strong quantitative skills, and excellent organizational abilities. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Application Documents Resume (required) Statement of interest (2–3 pages; required) Letters of recommendation (preferred) Unofficial transcript (required) Pay and Benefits Pay range: $50,000.00. Scheduled hours: 37.5 per week. Benefits eligible: Yes. The University offers health, retirement, and paid time off programs detailed in the Benefits Guidebook. EEO and Accommodations The University of Chicago is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes.Applicants requiring accommodations should contact View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form. Employment Conditions Drug test required. No health screen required. No motor vehicle record inquiry required. FLSA status: Exempt. Position type: Salary. Additional Information All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude employment; it is considered on a case‑by‑case basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr The University Of Chicago