Sr. Research Specialist - Contract

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Department BSD PSY - Lyons Lab About the Department To transform mental health through compassionate, innovative interdisciplinary care, pioneering research, and the education of future leaders dedicated to advancing the well-being of individuals, families, and their communities. Job Summary The Research Senior Specialist provides advanced leadership and expertise in supporting the scientific and administrative operations of a complex research enterprise. This role plays a critical part in facilitating the development, implementation, and stewardship of interdisciplinary research programs, ensuring that investigators and teams are well supported across all phases of the research lifecycle. Working closely with institutional partners, the Research Senior Specialist integrates research administration with the strategic and scientific goals of the organization. Serving as a central liaison between investigators, administrative offices, and external collaborators, the Research Senior Specialist translates complex research policies and procedural requirements into effective operational practice. Through this work, the Specialist strengthens the infrastructure that underpins scientific inquiry—promoting collaboration, enabling innovation, and advancing the institution’s broader research mission. Responsibilities Manage the content and capacity to execute distance learning outcomes. Design customized content based on adult learning principles. Ma nage staff to ensure quality customer engagement and accurate and timely resolution of user inquiries. M anage the LMS provider agreement and customized development of LMS capacity. Coordinate with the LMS support team to identify, report, and help resolve technical issues. Track and share patterns or recurring concerns may indicate broader system issues. As sists in analyzing data for the purpose of extracting applicable information. Performs research projects that provide analysis for a number of programs and initiatives. May assist staff or faculty members with data manipulation, statistical applications, programming, analysis and modeling on a scheduled or ad-hoc basis. Collects, organizes, and may analyze information from the University's various internal data systems as well as from external sources. Improves financial, personnel, planning, compliance and other administrative aspects of research project. Collaborates with other researchers on long-range plans for research projects. Leads, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology. Establishes goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines. Contribute to cross-functional initiatives that strengthen research infrastructure, enhance collaboration, and advance the scientific mission of the organization. Provides expertise to researchers on compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Leads the establishment of new laboratories and provides assistance with purchasing new laboratory equipment; ensuring efficient operation of laboratory, including overseeing maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment. Improves financial, personnel, planning, compliance and other administrative aspects of research project. Collaborates with other researchers on long-range plans for research projects. Leads, investigates, modifies and applies new procedures, techniques or applications of technology. Establishes goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines. 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 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education: Advanced degree. ? Technical Skills or Knowledge: Knowledge of research regulatory policies and procedures. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Excel, and financial systems. Preferred Competencies Strong project management and organizational skills. Strategic thinker who can balance innovation, financial accountability with consistency. Organizational skills. Verbal and written communication skills. Work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. 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 40 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ? FLSA Status Exempt ? Pay Range $80,000.00 - $120,000.00 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. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Berwyn , Sr. Research Specialist - Contract, Administration, Clerical , Chicago, Illinois