Research Professional: Hornbeck
I am looking to hire a highly skilled and motivated individual to work as a full-time Research Professional, starting in the summer of 2027. I am hoping to fill the position for two years. The position provides standard benefits such as health insurance.
In this position, you would take on an important role in my research in Applied Microeconomics and Economic History. This work draws on large micro-level datasets, with a current focus on understanding the causes and consequences of technological change and intergenerational effects of wealth. You would be involved in all stages of research: brainstorming, data collection and cleaning, reduced-form empirical analysis, and model-based structural analysis. Experience with relevant computer software is highly desirable (Stata, Matlab, R, Python, ArcGIS), though experience with data management and analysis, and a willingness to learn new programs, may be sufficient.
The successful Research Professional will be highly motivated and able to work in an efficient and organized manner with close attention to detail. It is important to be able to follow instructions closely, while also being self-motivated and able to work independently. Projects involve working with large historical datasets, cleaning these data with close attention to detail, managing work by undergraduates to clean the data, and contributing to the design, improvement, and implementation of machine-based methods.
Two examples of ongoing projects are:
Black Wealth and Opportunity after Emancipation
This project analyzes the intergenerational consequences of low African American wealth following emancipation from slavery. We estimate the impacts of wealth lost due to the 1874 bankruptcy of the Freedman’s Bank, which was created after the Civil War to provide an outlet for savings of formerly enslaved people. We match Freedman Bank records to the 1870 Census of Population and follow these individuals and their families through later waves of the Census.
Market Integration and Economic Growth
This project examines the effects of market integration on economic growth in the United States, drawing on firm-level and farm-level data from the US Census of Manufactures and US Census of Agriculture. We examine growth on intensive and extensive margins, comparing incumbents and entrants, to understand the dynamic mechanisms underlying the substantial growth of the US economy in the 19th century.
If you are interested in the position, submit the following application materials by October 16:
1) A cover letter that briefly outlines: (a) your background and career ambitions, (b) your experience in conducting or assisting research projects, (c) your experience with any relevant programming languages (with examples of computer code), (d) the name and email address of any professor for whom you have worked as a research assistant in the last few years (along with a brief description of that role).
2) A current resume and transcript (unofficial is fine).
3) Copies of any research output that you have written yourself (optional).
You should submit your application materials and complete the survey questions at:
https://forms.gle/4CZCtE3G1pN9g4AT9
You should also submit your application materials at the below link:
https://uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Chicago-IL/Research-Professional_JR34816
If you have already filled out this Workday application, you do not need to do so again.
Chicago Booth fosters a positive work environment for our research staff, including significant RP-specific programming. To learn more, visit our website. To learn more about pre-doctoral roles like this in general, and to find other opportunities, visit https://predoc.org. We will also host an information session on September 9 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT, which you can register for here.
Chicago Booth is dedicated to creating a culture of free expression that includes people with a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas, where each person’s ideas and contributions can flourish. If you need an accommodation to apply to a Chicago Booth Research Staff Program, or if there are other factors impacting your ability to apply to an open position, please email ResearchProfessional@lists.chicagobooth.edu.