Research Fellow in Sociology

Illinois Institute of Technology

Requisition #: F00033P
Location: IIT–Downtown Campus (DTC), Chicago, IL
Position Category: Part-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Posting Date: March 7, 2025
Quicklink for Posting: https://iit7.peopleadmin.com/postings/11143

Position Overview

The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to contribute to the international research project “Place-Based Circular Society Innovations (Pb-CSI)”, led by Manchester Metropolitan University and funded by the United Kingdom Research & Innovation (UKRI).

The successful candidate will work closely with Prof. Weslynne Ashton to advance interdisciplinary research exploring how places can become more equitable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable through the development, implementation, and scaling of circular society innovations (CSI).

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct and coordinate research on place-based circular innovations across international contexts.

  • Design and implement quantitative and qualitative research methods, including surveys, interviews, and coding of social science data.

  • Contribute to sustainability assessments such as life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and social impact assessment.

  • Support collaborative research efforts with academic and community partners locally and globally.

  • Prepare manuscripts, reports, and presentations that communicate findings to academic and non-academic audiences.

  • Assist in project management, data analysis, and dissemination activities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

  • Doctoral degree in Business, Environmental Science, Sociology, Design, or a closely related discipline.

  • Demonstrated expertise in quantitative (e.g., survey analysis) and qualitative (e.g., interviews, coding) research methods.

  • Experience with sustainability assessment tools such as life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, or social impact evaluation.

Knowledge & Skills:

  • Strong quantitative and qualitative research and academic writing skills.

  • Excellent organizational, critical thinking, and time management abilities.

  • Ability to design frameworks, collect, analyze, and interpret complex data sets.

  • Data literacy across diverse data formats (quantitative and qualitative).

  • Capacity to apply design-led approaches to project planning and execution.

  • Proven ability to collaborate with diverse, international, and multidisciplinary teams.

  • Commitment to inclusive and participatory research practices that value multiple perspectives and shared decision-making.

Work Hours

Part-time position; schedule to be determined in consultation with the supervising faculty.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit the following materials online at:
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Required Documents:

  • Resume

  • Cover Letter

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) Statement

Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer that welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We value diversity and strive to create an inclusive academic community. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, veteran, or disability status, or any other protected class under federal or state law.

Export Control Statement

In compliance with U.S. export control laws, Illinois Tech conducts Restricted Party Screening (RPS) to verify that it may legally engage in transactions with foreign and domestic persons and entities. This screening is performed through Visual Compliance software and maintained as part of the university’s Export Compliance Program.

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