Assistant/Associate Research Scientist (Youth and Social Issues)
How to Apply
Interested applicants will submit a cover letter describing their interest in the Survey Research Center (SRC) and Youth and Social Issues (YSI) program, a curriculum vitae, up to three recent publications, contact information of three references, a statement of research, a statement of service, and a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement. The DEI statement should be 1-4 pages and include a discussion of demonstrated or planned contributions relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, teaching or mentoring, and service.
All applicants must submit their applications online at http://apply.interfolio.com/134042. Please direct questions or inquiries to [email protected].
Summary
The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan is the largest academic social science research institution in the world. This interdisciplinary community includes researchers from sociology, economics, psychology, information and computer science, statistics, geography, public policy, public health, biostatistics, survey research, and medicine, among others. The Survey Research Center (SRC) is a unique, world-renowned social science research center that conducts investigator initiated, survey-based research on theoretical and applied problems of social and scientific importance.
The Assistant/Associate Research Scientist position will provide research support and administrative support, as well as conducting research both independently and as part of a team of faculty in SRC’s Youth and Social Issues (YSI) Program. YSI’s flagship research study is Monitoring the Future (MTF), which is an ongoing study of substance use among adolescents and adults that began in 1975. Each year, nationally representative samples of U.S. students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades are surveyed. In addition, the MTF Panel study follows a subset of 12th graders from each high school class, currently including longitudinal data from ages 18 to 65.
The Research Scientist track provides an opportunity for a scholar to contribute to existing funded social science research. In particular, this position will provide key support in designing and executing a pilot study of a new MTF Early Panel study that would begin in 8th and 10th grades. This position will help with the project’s aim to disseminate high quality data and documentation, with a focus on expanding the project’s capacity to offer online and in-person MTF data workshops to reach wider and more diverse research audiences. This position will design and lead multiple data workshops throughout the year and support MTF data users. In addition, this position will lead strategy for additional data dissemination activities, such as attending and presenting at scientific research conferences to share information about available MTF data with potential users.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, U-M offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous time off; retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year; many choices for comprehensive health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability coverage; and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses. Learn more about U-M benefits.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of this position include:
- Developing online and in-person instructional content and teaching data user workshops;
- Collaborating on the development of proposals for funded research;
- Serving as an expert and resource for their content area of expertise to inform survey development, evaluation of data quality, and study methodology;
- Conducting data analysis and preparing MTF-specific technical reports and user documentation;
- Preparing scientific articles for publication.
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in a social science field, such as sociology, demography, epidemiology, or psychology, and graduate-level training in quantitative methods and statistics;
- Research focus aligned with principal content areas of MTF;
- Strong data analytic and statistical skills using large panel data sets;
- Strong communication skills;
- Excellent presentation and writing skills.
Desired Qualifications
- 5-7 years of experience or training in the collection, processing, and dissemination of longitudinal survey data;
- Expertise in SAS, Stata, R, and/or other software programs;
- Experience teaching and/or leading workshops and trainings;
- Supervisory experience.
Individuals from groups historically under-represented in public health or related fields are strongly encouraged to apply.
Additional Information
The position is a 12-month appointment located in Ann Arbor, MI. Salary is competitive. Start dates are flexible. A joint appointment with an appropriate department at the University of Michigan may be possible.
U-M offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous time off; a retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year; many choices for comprehensive health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability coverage; and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses. Learn more about U-M benefits: https://careers.umich.edu/benefits.
Ann Arbor and its surrounding communities in the Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor Combined Statistical Area offer a variety of climate-resilient, family-friendly communities within commuting distance of several universities and major employment centers.
The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.