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Research Analyst, Neurological Surgery

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $50,000–$70,000 a year · Full time

Posted May 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Our department runs NIH-funded bench and translational work on brain tumors and cerebrovascular anomalies. What part of that interests you, and what have you done that connects to it?

What they are checking: Whether they read about the department and can link their own experience to the actual research instead of neurosurgery in general.

Tell me about a research project where you were responsible for keeping data accurate over months. What did you do to catch errors?

What they are checking: Whether they have real habits for data quality, since routine research work fails quietly when small errors go unnoticed.

Tell me about a time you had to explain your results to someone more senior who disagreed with them.

What they are checking: Whether they can defend their work with evidence while staying open to being wrong in front of a supervisor.

Have you helped draft any part of a manuscript, poster or presentation? What was your piece of it?

What they are checking: Whether they can contribute to written output, which is how the department's research reaches other scientists.

What would you do

You notice a sample label doesn't match the log, and the PI needs results by Friday. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and fix a data integrity problem rather than pushing ahead to meet a deadline.

Two investigators both ask you for help on the same afternoon. How do you decide what comes first?

What they are checking: Whether they clarify priorities with the people in charge instead of guessing or quietly letting one request slip.

About the work

How would you organize a database of patient samples or imaging data so that someone else could pick it up a year from now?

What they are checking: Whether they think about naming, version control and documentation so the lab's work survives staff turnover.

What do you know about IRB approval and HIPAA, and how do they change the way you handle patient data day to day?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that compliance with human subjects rules is part of the daily job, not paperwork someone else handles.

Which statistical or analysis tools have you used, like R, Python, SPSS or Excel, and what was the most involved analysis you ran yourself?

What they are checking: How much analysis they can do without help, which shapes how much the faculty will need to supervise them.

Walk me through how you'd follow a written lab protocol you've never done before.

What they are checking: Whether they read carefully, ask questions before starting, and record deviations instead of improvising silently.

Practice this interview out loud.

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Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department BSD NSU - Research About the Department Neurosurgeons at UChicago Medicine are devoted to patient care, research, and teaching. These experts in the Department of Neurological Surgery offer the full spectrum of neurosurgical services for children and adults with brain diseases including aggressive brain tumors, back and spine degenerative diseases, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Our surgeons are truly at the forefront of neurosurgical care, utilizing the most advanced and sophisticated technologies and techniques to treat diseases of the brain and spine. Our expertise goes beyond that of delivering the best medical care; research is an integral part of our mission. With significant funding from the NIH in both bench and translational research, our staff and faculty are actively investigating complex conditions that affect the central nervous system, including cancer stem cell theory and aggressive brain cancers as well as the mechanisms behind cerebrovascular anomalies. This work serves as the groundwork for many new applications in neurosurgery, which will benefit patients for many years to come. Job Summary The job performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects for the Department of Neurological Surgery. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings. Responsibilities • Maintains technical and administrative support for research projects within the laboratory and broader academic research program. • Analyzes, organizes, and maintains research data, databases, and/or biological specimens; assists with data collection, quality control, and record maintenance. • Conducts literature reviews and assists with preparation of abstracts, reports, manuscripts, presentations, grant materials, and other scientific documents. • Supports clinical and translational research activities, including subject recruitment and scheduling, protocol development and maintenance, regulatory documentation, and study coordination. • Maintains updated knowledge of research methodologies, laboratory procedures, regulatory policies, and relevant scientific literature related to ongoing projects. • Supports the research mission of the laboratory and department. • Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator. • Maintains recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support. Has general awareness in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field. • Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: • Advanced degree in a related field. Preferred Competencies • Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, self-motivation and ability to work independently. • Ability to assimilate constructive feedback from principal investigator and communicate timely updates. • Ability to work as part of a team: forming and maintaining positive working relationships with diverse researchers, staff, community stakeholders, contractors, and patients. • Ability to train and supervise others, including students, volunteers and other support staff. Application Documents • Resume/CV (required) • Cover Letter (required) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Research Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required Yes Health Screen Required Yes Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ​ FLSA Status Exempt ​ Pay Range $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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. 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. 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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