University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

The School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is hiring a Senior Research Specialist for the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI). This role involves leading research on climate change, job creation, and economic development. Ideal candidates will have experience in quantitative data collection, economic modeling, and statistical analysis.

Founded in 2022, CJI supports Illinois’s transition to a zero-carbon economy with research that centers on workers and communities. The Institute produces tools and reports, engages stakeholders, mentors students, and fosters applied research. We envision a clean energy future rooted in climate and economic justice.

Key responsibilities include designing and conducting applied research, managing projects and teams, analyzing data, generating reports, and presenting findings. The specialist will also support grant writing and engage with policymakers, labor, and community stakeholders.

Minimum qualifications: Master’s degree in a relevant field; 4–5 years of research experience (preferably in climate, labor, or economic policy); team leadership experience; and strong communication and analytical skills. Familiarity with clean energy, labor markets, and statistical tools (e.g., R, Stata, IMPLAN) is preferred.

This full-time, 12-month position offers a salary of $80,000–$100,000. Continued employment depends on funding.