Research Assistant Professor | Consortium on School Research, Crown Family School, Kersten Institute for Urban Education

The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice is the academic home to the Kersten Institute for Urban Education, a research and policy institute focused on advancing programs, interventions, and policies that strengthen K-12 schools and improve academic and life outcomes for all students.

Founded in 1990, the U Chicago Consortium is based at the Kersten Institute for Urban Education at the University of Chicago. With the goal of supporting stronger and more equitable educational outcomes for students, the U Chicago Consortium conducts research of high technical quality that informs and assesses policy and practice in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

We seek a collaborative scholar with an existing program of research in the area of education policy, history, and equity, with a particular interest in candidates whose research seeks to investigate and address the roots of educational inequality in the United States using economic causal approaches. We welcome applicants whose interdisciplinary work draws from history, sociology, education, social work, urban studies, or related fields and who bring a critical perspective to the study of public education and systemic reform.

The Research Assistant Professor will be expected to maintain an active and visible research agenda that contributes to national conversations in K-12 education; lead and collaborate on externally funded research projects; engage with local, national, or global education stakeholders and communities to translate research into policy and practice; and contribute to the intellectual life of the Kersten Institute, the Crown Family School, and the University. The Research Assistant Professor will be required to produce rigorous and impactful research for academic and policy/practice audiences, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books/book chapters, and research reports/policy briefs.

Terms of Appointment

The selected candidate will be appointed for a term of 3 years. This appointment is renewable at the discretion of the School.

This position is 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity 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 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

Qualifications

Applicants are required to have a PhD or EdD in education, economics, sociology, or a closely related field; an established record of scholarly publications; and strong quantitative methodological skills, with openness to mixed, qualitative, archival, or participatory methods.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit (1) a cover letter describing research agenda and alignment with this position, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) two representative publications or writing samples, and (4) two contacts for references. The application deadline is December 20, 2025. Consideration of applications will begin on December 22, 2025. Early submission is encouraged. Please apply online at the Academic Recruitment web page at the University of Chicago website using the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/178051

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