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Research Professional at University of Chicago in Chicago, IL
Job Description
Department
Crown Research Ma
About the Department
Job Summary
The project brings together university researchers and social work agencies in China to co-create integrated interventions that connect schools, families, hospitals, and communities. Through direct services, school-based training, participatory action research, capacity building for service providers nationwide, and policy advocacy, the project aims to help adolescents recover, reintegrate into school, and thrive in their communities.
The Research Professional will work closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr. Zhiying Ma, and the project team to design and conduct mixed-methods research, coordinate with partner institutions in China, and support the overall management and implementation of the project. This role requires frequent travel to China.
Responsibilities
Research Design and Implementation:
Help design, manage, and conduct mixed-methods research, including qualitative interviews, surveys, field observation, and participatory action research with adolescents, families, and service providers.
Conduct literature reviews on adolescent mental health, school reintegration, psychiatric rehabilitation, and related topics in both English and Chinese.
Prepare and submit IRB applications and ensure ongoing compliance with research ethics standards at all project sites.
Assist in the development and refinement of research instruments, including interview protocols, survey questionnaires, and fidelity assessment tools.
Contribute to data collection, management, and analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Lead or contribute to academic publications, policy reports, and presentations for scholarly and practitioner audiences.
Project Coordination and Partnership Management:
Coordinate with partner institutions, including university collaborators and social work agencies in China, to facilitate and track project activities across multiple sites.
Help organize and manage internship placements for Crown social work students at partner agencies.
Assist in coordinating quarterly U.S.–China online workshops and other knowledge-exchange activities.
Travel frequently to China to oversee research activities, provide on-site coordination, and maintain strong working relationships with project partners.
Reporting and Funding Development:
Prepare quarterly progress reports to the funding agency, documenting project milestones, deliverables, and outcomes.
Assist the Principal Investigator in identifying and actively developing new funding opportunities to sustain and expand the project’s work.
Contribute to grant writing and proposal development for related research initiatives.
Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.
Maintains recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support. Has general awareness in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work, psychology, or a related discipline.
Experience:
- At least two years of relevant experience: for candidates with a master’s degree, two or more years of direct service experience with adolescents and youth addressing mental health needs; for candidates with a doctoral degree, two or more years of research experience focused on adolescent or youth mental health. Candidates with a master’s degree and significant practice experience, but limited research and publication experience, are encouraged to apply.
- Experience working with school-based mental health programs or psychiatric rehabilitation services.
- Experience managing multi-site or cross-national research projects.
Preferred Competencies
- Familiarity with mental health service systems, policies, and practices in both mainland China and the United States (or another context).
- Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin Chinese.
- Demonstrated experience with qualitative or mixed-methods research and the ability to conduct systematic literature reviews.
- Strong academic writing skills in English, with the ability to produce publications, reports, and grant proposals.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across cultures, institutions, and disciplines.
- Knowledge of social work practice frameworks, including strengths-based, recovery-oriented, and ecological perspectives.
- Strong work ethics and commitment to the highest standards of research ethics, including experience with or knowledge of IRB processes and human subjects protections.
Working Conditions
- Willingness and ability to be based in China for extended periods as needed by project activities.
- This is a full-time position based at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.
- The position requires frequent international travel to China for research coordination, fieldwork, and partner engagement.
- This position is grant-funded for a three-year period from 5/1/26-4/30/29, with annual review and renewal contingent on performance and project needs.
Application Documents
Cover letter (required)
Curriculum vitae (required)
Writing sample (required)
Contact information for three references (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
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
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
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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