Jobs › University of Chicago

Research Professional, Sr. Analyst

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $52,020–$67,320 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at University of Chicago

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

The job includes leading contributions to manuscripts, protocols and grants. Tell me about something you've written that got published or funded.

What they are checking: Whether they have truly contributed to published papers or funded grants, since senior analysts are expected to help produce the lab's science.

You'd train new laboratory personnel. How do you teach a delicate technique to someone who has never done it?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach difficult techniques patiently and confirm competence, because poorly trained staff can harm animals and compromise data.

Tell me about a result you got that didn't fit what the lab expected. What did you do with it?

What they are checking: Whether they report unexpected results honestly and investigate them carefully, rather than dismissing data that does not fit expectations.

What would you want to be able to do by the end of your first year here that you can't do now?

What they are checking: Whether they have a reason to take this specific position

What would you do

How do you work with a principal investigator who is stretched thin and slow to answer?

What they are checking: Whether they can work independently and keep projects moving when guidance is limited, since the principal investigator will often be unavailable.

About the work

This is a senior analyst position in a lab studying how early experience shapes brain development, using the zebra finch as the model. What's your experience with songbird or small animal work?

What they are checking: Whether they have worked with songbirds or similar small animals, since the zebra finch model needs specific handling and husbandry skills.

The posting asks you to lead projects testing neural mechanisms using behavior and molecular genomic data. What molecular and genomic techniques do you run yourself?

What they are checking: Whether they can personally run the molecular and genomic methods, since a senior analyst here must do the bench work, not just discuss it.

How do you manage a complex data set so that someone else could pick it up a year from now?

What they are checking: Data organization, a stated duty and a real weakness in many labs

An experiment isn't working and you're not sure whether it's the reagent, the animal or the protocol. How do you work through it?

What they are checking: Whether they test variables one at a time to find the real problem, rather than repeating the experiment and hoping it works.

The posting names compliance with institutional, state and federal research regulations. What does that look like day to day in an animal lab?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how regulations shape daily animal work, including recognizing when changes require an amendment to the approved protocol.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Chicago from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department SSD Institute for Mind and Biology: Staff and Temporary Employees About the Department The Institute for Mind and Biology is comprised of twelve faculty Members from the Department of Comparative Human Development and Psychology. In addition to their department appointments, Members contribute significantly to the University's interdisciplinary approach to Neuroscience and Committees on Computational Neuroscience, Evolutionary Biology, Integrative Neuroscience, and Neurobiology. Members also collaborate with other faculty at UChicago in the Biological Sciences Division and Division of the Social Sciences as well as colleagues from around the globe. The London Lab investigates how the brain develops, with special focus on how early experience can alter neural function and behavior. The London Lab applies molecular and genomic tools in combination with behavioral manipulations to uncover biological processes that promote and limit the ability to learn across development. The lab uses the zebra finch songbird as the model system because there are life-long behavioral effects of developmental experience, but only when that experience occurs during specific phases. Despite outward differences, zebra finches have strong genomic, molecular, neural, developmental, social, and behavioral parallels with humans. As such, the lab’s research strategy discoveres mechanisms that may also be involved in human speech acquisition and other developmentally learned behaviors. Job Summary The job performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. 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. The job facilitates and promotes a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource. Receives a moderate level of guidance and direction. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance. The London Lab is seeking an individual to fill the position of Research Professional, Sr. Analyst. The Sr. Analyst performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. They ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. They analyze possible solutions using standard procedures. They will rigorously test the connections between epigenomic regulation of molecular processes, learning, and behavioral outcomes of neural circuit function. Responsibilities • Lead projects that test neural mechanisms that promote and limit the ability to learn from juvenile experience, using behavior and molecular genomic data as functional readouts. Experiments will utilize a suite of molecular, epigenomic, genomic, in vivo, and behavioral methods, and consider a variety of processes. • Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information. • Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research. • Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including preparation of reports, manuscripts, protocols and grants. • Trains new laboratory personnel. • Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project in a neuroscience laboratory environment performing molecular and small animal laboratory techniques, research and analysis. • Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator. • 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: • PhD in neuroscience, molecular biology, or related disciplines. Experience: • Postdoctoral training in neuroscience, molecular biology, or related disciplines. • At least four years’ experience in the application of molecular biology, genomics and/or epigenomics, and next-generation sequencing methods to answer neuroscientific questions. • Expertise in behavioral analysis, microscopy, genomics, anatomical methods, and/or physiology is a plus. • Expertise with non-rodent systems in neuroethologically-relevant research questions. Preferred Competencies • Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures. • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. • Ability to work independently on own projects and as part of a team. • Familiarity with grant preparation. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Ability to supervise and train others. • Ability to critically evaluate data to optimize procedures and write papers. Working Conditions • The work will take place in a combination of wet lab, animal lab, and dry/computer lab spaces. • Weekend or evening hours may be required to complete project timelines. Application Documents • Resume (required) • Cover letter (required) • References (required) The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. 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 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ​ FLSA Status Exempt ​ Pay Range $52,020.00 - $67,320.00 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.

Apply at University of Chicago