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To achieve our mission of producing groundbreaking research and informing policy on the causes of socioeconomic inequality, we offer various pathways for early career scholars to advance research on the nature of contemporary inequalities through research assistantship, predoctoral fellowship, postdoctoral scholarship, and visiting roles. We strive to offer:
- A comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes that inequalities are the outcome of a multidimensional dynamic process that operates at the individual, family, social, and political levels.
- Training from the faculty and postdoctoral-level mentors, primarily through an active research apprenticeship and collaboration, to foster meaningful early-career collaborations and empower scholarly growth.
- Access to a wealth of seminars and opportunities for collaboration at the Stone Center and across campus.
The ideal candidate would have:
- Experience in and enthusiasm for performing quantitative research in the social sciences.
- Understanding of and desire to master empirical research tools, such as theory, statistics, and probability.
Please refer to the opportunities below for instructions.
Applications are not accepted via email.
Research Assistants support research through data cleaning, data analysis, data visualization, conducting statistical simulations, producing transportable code, and other essential research tasks. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Specific assignments are determined based on mutual fit given the applicant’s interests and experience.
Terms
- Undergraduate students may work for a maximum of 20 hours per week (cumulatively) during the academic year.
- Undergraduates can work a maximum of 37.5 hours a week (cumulatively) during the summer.
- Pay is competitive and commensurate on experience.
- Specific project assignments are determined based on mutual fit given the applicant’s interests and experience.
Application Requirements
Qualifications:
- Applicant must be currently enrolled as a UChicago Student.
- Familiarity with or high interest in research on inequality dynamics.
- Background in the quantitative social sciences (e.g., economics, sociology, public policy, etc.).
- Proficiency with tools necessary for statistical analysis, data manipulation, etc..
- In general, Python, Stata, R, and/or MATLAB experience is desired.
- Specific software demands vary by project.
Required Materials:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Code Sample
- Unofficial Transcripts
Graduate Research Assistants support research through advanced-level data cleaning, data analysis, data visualization, conducting statistical simulations, producing transportable code, and other essential research tasks. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Terms
- Graduate students may work for a maximum of 20 hours per week (cumulatively) during the academic year.
- Graduate can work a maximum of 37.5 hours a week (cumulatively) during the summer.
- Pay is competitive and commensurate on experience.
- Specific project assignments are determined based on mutual fit given the applicant’s interests and experience.
Application Requirements
Qualifications:
- Applicant must be currently enrolled as a UChicago Student.
- Familiarity or high interest in research on inequality dynamics.
- Background in the quantitative social sciences (e.g., economics, sociology, public policy, etc.).
- Advanced proficiency with tools necessary for statistical analysis, data manipulation, etc..
- In general, Python, Stata, R, and/or MATLAB experience is desired.
- Specific software demands vary by project.
Required Materials:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Code Sample
- Unofficial Transcripts
Predoctoral Fellows enrich the work of the Stone Center by engaging in robust research opportunities following the entire research lifecycle. The center is particularly interested in undergraduate- or master-level researchers interested in wealth inequality and intergenerational mobility joining its community of scholars.
Terms
- This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position.
- The applicant must reside or be willing to relocate to Chicago.
- Visa sponsorship is available.
- A two-year commitment is required. Multi-year arrangements have proven to be the most productive in defining and executing projects.
- Pay is competitive and commensurate on experience.
- Specific project assignments are determined based on mutual fit given the applicant’s interests and experience.
Application Requirements
Qualifications:
Responsibilities:
- Program in Stata, Python, R, or MATLAB to analyze data using econometric tools
- Collaborate with the research team to develop economic models for projects
- Write and/or proofread academic papers, reports, and presentations
- Clean and describe data, generating graphs, tables, or other summaries
- May train and supervise undergraduate research assistants
- Responsibly handle confidential data
Competencies:
- Working knowledge of research techniques in empirical economics or other quantitative social science
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Enthusiasm for learning new methods and skills
- Strong ability to coordinate work with others and teams
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent organization and attention to detail
Education, Experience, and Certifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree is required/Master’s Degree is preferred in economics or related quantitative field; must be conferred by the anticipated start date
- A minimum of one year of research experience with quantitative academic research is required
- Experience programming and working with empirical data is required
Technical Knowledge or Skills:
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g, Stata, Python, R, and/or MATLAB) required
- Proficiency in LaTeX required
- Proficiency of Microsoft Office suite required
- Proficiency of Google Suite required
Required Materials:
- Research Statement
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Unofficial Transcript(s)
- Code Sample
- May be submitted in any programming language that you have used to conduct data analysis.
- Reference Contact Information
- A minimum of two references is required.
Application Period:
Annually, January to March. Exact dates to be determined.
Interview Process:
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview in March. Initial interviews will be conducted remotely. In-person interviews at the University of Chicago may be arranged for applicants who move forward in the interview process.
Announcement:
Annually, decisions are announced from March to June. Exact dates to be determined.
Please Check Back in January 2025
Postdoctoral Scholars are collaborators and co-authors core to our mission of advancing research on the nature of contemporary inequalities. The center is particularly interested in scholars with research agendas focused on wealth inequality and intergenerational mobility.
Terms
- This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, one-year renewable position.
- The applicant must reside or be willing to relocate to Chicago.
- Visa sponsorship is available.
- A two-year commitment is required. Multi-year arrangements have proven to be the most productive in defining and executing projects.
- Pay is competitive and commensurate on experience.
- Research funds are available for presentations and/or projects in close alignment with the our core research agenda.
Application Requirements
Qualifications:
- Substantive experience and interest in performing quantitative research in the social sciences in the context of advanced industrialized societies (i.e., U.S., or cross-nationally comparable settings).
- Rigorous understanding of empirical research tools, such as theory, statistics, and probability.
- Backgrounds in economics, sociology, political science, psychology, public policy, or other aligned fields.
- Candidates are expected to complete their PhD by the appointment start date.
Required Materials:
- Research Statement
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Writing Sample (i.e., authored work)
- Two Letters of Reference
- References must submit their letters must submit their letters directly within InfoReady. Consult the application portal for instructions.
- Other Supporting Documents
Application Period:
Annually, early September to mid December. Exact dates to be determined.
Interview Process:
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview in March. Initial interviews will be conducted remotely. In-person interviews at the University of Chicago may be arranged for applicants who move forward in the interview process.
Announcement:
Annually, decisions are announced in early February. Exact dates to be determined.
Please Check Back in September 2025
A Non-Degree Visiting Student (NDVS) is a graduate student currently enrolled at another academic institution who is visiting the University of Chicago to conduct short-term research with and under the sponsorship of a faculty member. A NDVS may visit for up to four quarters, self-funded. (Graduate students at another domestic institution may alternatively have access to existing exchange programs.) Prior NDVS hosted by the Stone Center have gained mentorship through our training programs prior to requesting a long-term visit.
Required Materials:
- Invitation Letter
- Issued case-by-case by Executive Director Grace Kolavo.
- Online Application
- English Language Proficiency Exam (if applicable)