Assistant Research Scientist

University of Michigan Survey Research Center · Jackson, MI · 4 days ago

HybridOther

Application deadline: September 7, 2026

About the role

The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR) invites applications for an Assistant Research Scientist in its Survey Research Center (SRC). The Assistant Research Scientist will join the faculty of the Survey Methodology Program (SMP) within SRC, serve as an expert sampling statistician on multiple SRC projects, and contribute to the writing of original journal articles and research proposals. As the world’s largest academic social science survey and research organization, the Institute for Social Research (isr.umich.edu) is a leader in developing and applying new social science methods. The Institute’s Survey Research Center (src.isr.umich.edu) conducts investigator-initiated, survey-based research on theoretical and applied problems of both social and scientific importance.

Responsibilities

Sample design and implementation on multiple national survey research projects.
Provide technical consultation and support to ongoing projects, both internal and external to SRC, in the form of sample design, weight development, development of data collection protocols, and survey data analysis.
Develop technical papers and/or publications documenting methodological issues of interest to the survey and data science community.
Participate in design and field monitoring activities.
Prepare and collaborate on proposals for funded research related to survey methodology, sampling, and data science.
Develop a related scholarly research agenda.
Provide supervision to project staff as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in survey methodology, statistics, or related quantitative social science fields.
At least 5 years of experience in the development and execution of a wide range of sample designs, including complex area-probability samples, for domestic and international clients.
Technical expertise in developing post-survey statistical adjustment procedures.
Demonstrated interest in methodological research as evidenced by a scholarly publication record.
Experience analyzing complex sample survey data.
Track record of providing technical support to sponsored survey research projects.
Programming skills (e.g., R, Python, SAS, IVEware).
Experience supervising project staff.
Strong written, oral, and statistical skills.

Desired Qualifications

Demonstrated evidence of providing service to the broader field of survey methodology via engagement with relevant professional associations (e.g., AAPOR, JSM, RSS).
Demonstrated evidence of editorial service as a reviewer of manuscripts submitted to journals relevant to the field.
Track record of teaching workshops and courses in sampling, survey methods, and statistics.
Track record of disseminating research via oral presentations at professional conferences on survey methods.
Prior evidence of holding leadership positions in the field.

Schedule

This is a year-round (12-month) appointment located in Ann Arbor, MI. The position is scheduled to begin in Spring 2027 but may begin sooner.