Senior Research Specialist - Social Sciences

Senior Research Specialist – Social Sciences

Hiring Department: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine

Location: 1747 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL, 60608

Requisition ID: 1039207

Posting Close Date: 02/10/2026

Compensation: $65,000.00-$68,000.00

Job Summary: 

About the University of Illinois - Chicago: 

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Job Summary:

The Department of Psychiatry is seeking a Senior Research Specialist– Social Sciences. The main purpose of this position is to oversee data entry and collection and analyze trends according to established research protocols on subjects, who are youth in care of the state of Illinois, in need of psychopharmacological intervention. The research results help to provide improved clinical care, oversight, and influence policy. In addition, this position will trouble shoot data related problems with prescribing clinicians, mental healthcare providers, and social service professionals while providing education on up-to-date research based psychopharmacological practices in order to promote safe, effective, and best practice standards for the use of psychopharmacology in our subjects. This position will develop reports to provide feedback in the field to improve data submission. This position will train all new research staff on the protocols and procedures associated with data entry and collection for the research study.

Job Responsibilities (Essential Duties): 

With guidance, training, and supervision from the Associate Director of Mental Health Policy, Behavioral Health, & Welfare Program, the Research Specialist – Social Sciences will be expected to fulfill the following duties and responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop objectives and design of research and data collection procedures. Conceptualize, initiate and execute research goals for project.

• Conduct and coordinate advanced research studies. Analyze and interpret data and results and refine study design.

• Develop and write advanced study protocols

• Evaluate current developments and research findings to determine their potential applicability to research projects.

• Replicate, refine and add/develop new research approaches based on project needs. Advise on new direction for research based on study results.

• Monitor project developments on an ongoing basis and implement changes as needed.

• Prepare, organize and communicate research results. Write papers, grants, and other documents for publication based on research findings.

• Author and co-author articles for publication and present at scientific symposia and conferences.

• May act as supervisor or team lead in directing and coordinating the work of lower-level staff. Guide, train and advise lower-level researchers and students on techniques, methods and procedures.

• Plan, assign and review work of staff to ensure that group objectives are met. Hire, train, develop and manage staff to ensure that a qualified staff exists to meet group objectives.

• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

• Provide support through data analysis. Identify concerning trends or errors in data entry, notify research supervisors in order to develop and implement proper guidelines to promote quality assurance.

• Develop reports that provide feedback to the prescribers and facilities to improve the quality of the data submitted.

• Oversee assigned projects and help to prioritize work. Train and develop staff to effectively and efficiently perform research-oriented tasks. Educate the field on program changes related to evidence-based research.

• Develop processes to make sure things run efficiently. Implement new and necessary procedures and technologies to help achieve programs main goals. 

• Work with the IT Technical Associate as a technical liaison for the team responsible for communicating team needs for changes impacting the database application. Analyzes and interprets data and results.

• Autonomously use professional judgment and discretion needed when gathering complex information on each subject and working with DCFS and Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).

• Collaborates with Registered Nurses and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists regarding research protocols facilitating a communication bridge between the different roles on the study team.

• Collaborate with community-based stakeholders, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and Faculty supervisor on research processes and effective data collection.

This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Nothing restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Job Knowledge & Skills, Education, Experience: 

Bachelor’s degree in social science or related field is required, preferred master’s degree in social science. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in related research experience is required. A minimum of 3 years’ experience working in psychopharmacology, with 2 of those years focusing on clinical services in psychopharmacology databases and case processing. Advanced knowledge of research concepts, practices and procedures is required.

Benefits and Compensation: 

The previously determined salary range for this position is $65,000.00 to $68,000.00 for full-time efforts (1.0 FTE).

We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications. The final salary will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. 

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Please visit our department website at www.psych.uic.edu. Applicants must apply online at http://jobs.uic.edu and reference Job Requisition 1039207 and submit a CV, cover letter, and three names of references by 02/10/2026. The application review process will start after posting close date and will continue until the position is filled. The start date is flexible.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.