Description

The School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has an immediate opening for a Senior Research Specialist at the recently formed Climate Jobs Institute (CJI). The Senior Research Specialist will conduct and supervise research at the intersection of climate change, job creation, and economic development. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in quantitative data collection, statistical analysis, and economic modeling.

This position is based in Champaign-Urbana, IL within LER on the campus of the University of Illinois. Remote or hybrid options (within Illinois) are available for consideration. 

The Climate Jobs Institute at LER was established in 2022 to assist the State of Illinois in its transition to a zero-carbon economy, with research that foregrounds workers and their communities. We guide state climate policy to reduce emissions and promote high-quality job creation by: 

• Generating reports, tools, and resources; 
• Engaging labor, industry, communities, and policy makers;
• Mentoring student researchers; and
• Fostering applied research collaborations. 

Through research rooted in climate and economic justice, we envision a clean energy future where workers and communities prosper.  

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Research Specialist will: 

• Collaborate with the CJI leadership team to develop the Institute’s research agenda, ensuring that the research is rigorous, innovative, and relevant to the Institute’s mission. 
• Design and conduct original applied and academic research focused on the economic and labor market impacts of climate policies and the clean energy transition.
• Work collaboratively with CJI faculty, staff, research consultants, stakeholders and student research assistants on research projects. 
• Manage research projects and research team members to ensure timely and effective delivery of research products. 
• Apply a variety of quantitative research methods to analyze administrative and survey data, compile existing information and statistics, model job growth and other economic impacts, and evaluate the state’s clean energy policies and workforce development programs. 
• Edit and generate research reports and translate research into presentations, policy reports, media articles, and more.
• Present at, participate in, and attend conferences, workshops, and public events related to research topics.
• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to grant and funding proposals for the Climate Jobs Institute.

Minimum requirements:

• Master’s or advanced degree in public policy, economics, urban planning, law, labor relations, or related discipline. 
• 4-5 years' experience conducting economic, environmental, labor, or policy research and analysis, preferably related to climate change and the clean energy economy.
• Demonstrated record of research excellence, including publications and grants. 
• At least 1-2 years of experience leading research teams and managing complex research projects. 
• Ability to prepare presentations and craft documents that translate research and complex concepts for various audiences.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, providing independent and critical thinking while also considering diverse opinions and approaches. 
• Experience with internet and library searches, designing research studies, and collecting and analyzing data.
• Familiarity with many of the following research topic areas including climate and clean energy policy, renewable energy and other low-carbon economic sectors, environmental justice, labor markets, labor market institutions, labor unions, and workforce training and economic development programs.
• Ability to manage multiple competing deadlines and be flexible with changing work priorities.
• Ability to work independently for long stretches of time with limited supervision.
• Experience and skill using and learning different software packages and web-based tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Lexis Nexis, library databases, and statistical analysis software).

Preferred qualifications: 

• Four to five years of experience in research and/or program evaluation environment. 
• Ability to manage large datasets and extrapolate from data for use in public policy analysis. 
• Experience working with shared research computing infrastructure.
• Experience with quantitative research methods, including methods of statistical analysis and quantitative data collection (e.g. panel regression, event study methods, computational text analysis).
• Experience with statistical analysis software (e.g., R, Stata, ArcGIS) 
• Experience with methods and software for economic modeling and input-output analysis (e.g. IMPLAN, JEDI Models)
• Familiarity with academic and applied research on labor markets and labor market institutions. 
• Knowledge of climate, clean energy, or labor policy in Illinois. 
• Capability to perform public policy research and understand the decision-making and law-making process in Illinois. 

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. Salary range is $80,000-$100,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Although this position is an ongoing research specialist position, employment is subject on continued availability of funding.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 31st, 2025. Apply for this position at https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/15340?c=illinois. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Interviews may be conducted before the closing date, although no hiring decisions will be made until after the search has closed. For further information about this specific position, please contact Associate Professor Richard Benton (rabenton@illinois.edu). For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.