Research Professional, Market Shaping Accelerator
The Market Shaping Accelerator at the University of Chicago is led by the world’s leading market shaping scholars including Nobel laureate Michael Kremer (UChicago), Professor and former Chief Economist of the FCDO Rachel Glennerster (UChicago and CGD), and Professor Christopher Snyder (Dartmouth). The accelerator aims to identify the most promising areas for market shaping instruments (such as Advance Market Commitments) to incentivize innovations that address pressing global challenges such as climate change and biosecurity.
This position will be based in one of the following locations: Chicago, Illinois; Washington D.C.; or Hanover, New Hampshire. The majority of the team is based in Washington D.C. and we are happy to work with candidates on identifying the right location based on preferences and team needs.
Job Description
The Research Professional will work with Professor Rachel Glennerster, Professor Christopher Snyder (Dartmouth) and other colleagues at the Market Shaping Accelerator to support the development and adoption of high impact market shaping proposals that will incentivize innovations that address climate change, biosecurity, and other pressing global challenges.
The position will provide an opportunity to engage in a variety of tasks that provide preparation for graduate school and exposure to working with key policymakers, economists, and philanthropists. Research professionals interact frequently with the faculty directors and work in a supportive environment with a small team. This role provides the opportunity to collaborate on papers, interact with economic experts, and contribute to market-shaping proposals.
Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:
- 60% Economic appraisal and quantitative modeling (including cost-benefit analysis) of market shaping proposals
- Estimating the size of relevant markets, the potential benefits of new innovations and the potential size (cost) of the market shaping instruments
- Modeling in Stata, R, and/or Python to analyze large datasets to inform cost/benefit estimates
- microeconomic modeling and analysis
- 20% Supporting analysis of policy challenges such as climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and pandemic preparedness – including understanding the market structure of key sectors/industries
- 10% Communication and coordination with relevant stakeholders
- 10% Identifying promising candidate problems to tackle with market shaping instruments through desk research
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics or related field
- Strong quantitative skills and experience with empirical research methods
- Programming experience in at least one language (e.g., Stata, R, python, or MATLAB)
- Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to stay organized on multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced modeling experience and knowledge of multiple programming languages is desired (but not required)
- Curiosity and interest in climate change, biosecurity (including pandemic preparedness)
Working Conditions
- Some domestic (and possible international) travel as required.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- Writing Sample (required)
- Professional References Contact Information (3)(required)
- Transcripts
The University of Chicago supports work authorization for this role.