Job Description

Department

BSD SUR - OHNS: Thirty Million Words - Research Operations

About the Department

The TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health at the University of Chicago develops, tests, and implements evidence-based interventions designed to promote very young children’s cognitive and social-emotional development, with a priority placed on that of children living in poverty. TMW Center interventions are designed to be overlaid onto existing health, education, and social service systems working at scale in a given community in order to meet families where they already are. Our goal is to effect population-level change in children’s academic and developmental outcomes.

Job Summary

The Research Project Manager (onsite) manages research partnerships and data collection efforts involving the SPEAK, the Survey of Parent/Provider Expectations And Knowledge. Developed and validated at the TMW Center, the SPEAK is a computer-adaptive tool that measures knowledge of early child development. Drawing on a bank of nearly 400 items, it tailors questions to each respondent and produces overall and domain-specific scores. The tool runs on phones, tablets, and computers and can be integrated with other survey platforms, such as REDCap. Partner organizations use the tool with parents and early educators to measure knowledge, guide coaching and professional development, and evaluate programs.

Through a two-year research incubator, the TMW Center is building an international, multidisciplinary consortium of researchers who use the SPEAK to generate cross-cultural evidence on caregiver beliefs, connect those beliefs to caregiver behaviors and child outcomes, and expand the tool’s use across economics, psychology, education, public health, and public policy. Partners include universities, hospitals, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, with 22 incubator partnerships currently underway in 17 countries.

The Research Project Manager leads day-to-day management of this partnership portfolio. The role oversees partner projects from setup through data collection, builds surveys, coordinates translations, plans convenings, and tracks deliverables against grant timelines. The role also presents the tool to potential partners, relays partner and user feedback to the product and technical teams, and supports proposals and grant reports, working closely with the Principal Researcher on all aspects of the project.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by extramural funds (e.g., grant, gift, endowment) which are renewed under provisions set by the grantor. Employment will be contingent upon continued receipt of these extramural funds and satisfactory job performance. If the position is eliminated due to the discontinuation of extramural funding, you will be given a minimum of one month’s written notice or pay in-lieu of notice.

Responsibilities

• Manage a broad portfolio of distinct research projects and external partnerships, each with its own scope, objectives, and requirements. Serve as the primary point of contact for partners, overseeing project setup, research planning, and data sharing. Troubleshoot issues related to contracting (MOUs, data use agreements), survey implementation, and data quality.
• Plan and coordinate convenings for the research consortium, including a virtual convening where teams present their findings, a one-day in-person symposium at the University of Chicago, and a policy forum with key stakeholders. Manage logistics, agendas, speakers, travel, and follow-up.
• Track project milestones and deliverables against the grant timeline, and prepare the annual progress report for the incubator funder, including updates on research activities, events and convenings, and key outcomes.
• Build, test, and deploy surveys on the platform and in REDCap.
• Coordinate translation of the tool into new languages, working with translators, partner teams, and the Principal Researcher to review translated versions.
• Present project updates and findings to partner organizations, at internal meetings, and at external convenings.
• Serve as subject matter expert and key stakeholder for the platform. Work closely with product and technical teams to ensure features are effectively prioritized.
• Monitor deadlines for data reports and presentations, and communicate project needs with the Principal Researcher and Research Data Manager so that data deliverables meet partner needs.
• Monitor ongoing data collection efforts across partner studies and request/implement changes to data collection tools, processes, and protocols as needed.
• Support partners in using the data portal to access and download their data, track survey completion, and report issues.
• Write and review proposals, grant reports, and social media materials.
• Present the research tool to potential partners, and discuss relevant use case examples based on the organization type (e.g., research teams, early learning programs, health systems, government agencies).
• Maintain project trackers, partner records, and meeting notes, and keep documents organized, formatted, and backed up in Google Drive and on the TMW Server.
• 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.
• 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:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in public policy, social science, psychology, economics, public health, education, or a related field.

Experience:

• Experience working directly with government agencies, non-profit organizations, or community-based partners on research or program implementation.
• Experience with IRB protocols, data use agreements and human subjects research.
• Experience in early childhood research or education.
• Experience coordinating international or multi-site research.
• Experience planning convenings, conferences, or other professional events.
• Familiarity with survey research methods.
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with research software (e.g., Excel, Qualtrics, REDCap).

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with sharp attention to detail.
• Strong project management skills to build and maintain detailed project plans and track deliverables across multiple stakeholders.
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods, comfort working alongside analysts on data-driven projects, and the ability to read and interpret statistical output.
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse professional environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to academic and non-academic audiences.
• Ability to effectively manage a heavy workload, competing priorities, and tight deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changes in fast-paced work environment.
• A quick, self-learner with ability to initiate, organize, prioritize and complete multiple, high-level projects; and work effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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

40

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

$60,000.00 - $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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