Summer Research Assistant – Energy & Environment Lab (2026)

Summary

The University of Chicago Energy & Environment Lab partners with agencies to evaluate and scale programs that reduce pollution and improve environmental outcomes. They are seeking Summer Research Assistants to support large-scale environmental policy research projects, focusing on data analysis and evaluation of energy and environmental interventions.

Responsibilities

• Coding, review, and cleaning of data
• Data analytics, statistical analysis, and building econometric and/or machine learning models
• Project development and coordination
• Literature reviews
• Presentation of results of analysis (e.g., graphs and tables)
• Assisting in writing, formatting, and editing reports and works for publication and for dissemination to partners

Skills

• Interest in and aptitude for developing advanced programming and analytic skills
• Experience with at least one statistical analysis language required; R, or Python strongly preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize multiple sources
• Strong initiative and a resourceful approach to problem-solving and learning
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• High attention to detail and organizational skills
• Significant progress towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in economics, computer science or related discipline
• Coursework in economics, applied math, computer science, statistics
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Academic transcript(s)
• Knowledge of environment and/or energy policy issues preferred
• Research experience in an academic setting preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Interest in and aptitude for developing advanced programming and analytic skills
• Experience with at least one statistical analysis language required; R, or Python strongly preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize multiple sources
• Strong initiative and a resourceful approach to problem-solving and learning
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• High attention to detail and organizational skills
• Significant progress towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in economics, computer science or related discipline
• Coursework in economics, applied math, computer science, statistics
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Academic transcript(s)

Nice to Haves

• Knowledge of environment and/or energy policy issues preferred
• Research experience in an academic setting preferred