Instructional Assistant, Committee on Quantitative Methods
The University of Chicago

Job Info

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Department

College Social Sciences Collegiate Division

About the Department

The Committee on Quantitative Methods in Social, Behavioral and Health Sciences is a university-wide interdisciplinary academic unit that oversees three training programs: an undergraduate minor program in Quantative Social Analysis (QSA), an MA Program in Social Sciences (MAPSS) in Quantative Methods and Social Analysis (QMSA) and a doctoral certificate program in Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM). The Committee faculty are from departments in the Division of Social Sciences (Comparative Human Development, Economics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology), Biological Sciences (Human Genetics, Medicine, and Public Health Sciences), the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Department of Statistics. They share the intellectual focus on developing innovative methods and incorporating new technology for advancing theory-driven and data-informed rigorous research on populations, societies, and behavior.

Job Summary

The Instructional Assistant assists the Committee faculty and program administrations in their work delivering graduate/undergraduate education in quantitative methods. The role focuses on supporting instruction as a teaching assistant in specific for-credit applied statistics courses that are taught by the Committee faculty. Additional duties include supporting the administration of the three training programs in QSA, MAPSS QMSA and AQM.

The Instructional Assistant has experience in statistical theory and applied statsitics, and is equipped to support undergraduate/graduate instruction in capacities that range from substantive, pedagogical, methodological, technological, to administrative. The role will be a combination of the responsibilities listed below, and the specific allocation of duties may differ each quarter.

The annual work period is 9.5 months, from September 1 through June 15, and the salary is paid over 12 months, from September through August.

Responsibilities

• Assists the instructor of record in a statistical theory or applied statistics course or courses by holding regular office hours; leading lab sessions; assisting students on course materials; running weekly review and discussion sections as an accompaniment to the scheduled course; grading reading and comment on papers, exams, and other assignments and recommend grades for individual assignments; contributing to teaching resources and student materials; coordinating discussion sections, setting up equipment, managing reserve readings and other logistics; meeting regularly with the instructor of record; attending regularly-scheduled sessions of assigned courses, and reading all assigned materials.
• Provides support for events related to the three training programs.
• Meets regularly with instructors of record and the Associate Director of the Committee on Quantitative Methods to discuss curriculum and program goals.
• Interacts with faculty, researchers, staff and students for Committee work or information.
• Works with small groups of students to help them improve in the subject area and hold office hours to speak individually with students.
• Helps staff to plan and execute events.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree or higher in quantitative social analysis or related fields.

Experience:

• Background as a teaching assistant or instructor in undergraduate courses.
• Prior training in statistical theory, applied statistics up to multivariate statistics and generalized mixed models, causal inference and measurement.
• Familiarity with statistical software such as R, Stata.
• Some research or writing experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills including excellent editing/proofreading ability in English.
• Foster an inclusive environment for all students.
• Handle multiple concurrent projects in a competent and professional manner while also managing details and meeting deadlines.
• Work effectively with supervision and as a part of a team, individually, or in concert with other offices and campus partners.
• Work autonomously, taking initiative and without detailed instructions.
• Maintain confidentiality/discretion at all times.

Working Conditions

• 9.5 month position paid over 12 months.
• Some availability during evenings and weekends.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, which is to include your interest in this position (required)
• References Contact information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

Staff 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.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

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.

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