Department
The Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Essex wishes to appoint a talented and ambitious quantitative researcher as a Senior Research Officer to provide methodological input to key aspects of the design, implementation and evaluation of the main Understanding Society Study, in particular in relation to non-response and attrition.
Understanding Society: The UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) is a major household panel survey funded by the Economic and Social Research Council with co-funding from some government departments. It began in 2009 and incorporated its predecessor the British Household Panel Study (BHPS). At Wave 1 there was also an Ethnic Minority Boost Sample. At wave 6 an Immigrant and Ethnic Minority Boost sample was added, and a general population sample boost has just finished in the field (wave 14). The study is multi-topic and designed to meet the research needs of a range of disciplines across the social and bio-medical sciences. Data are collected from all household members over the age of 10 annually, and for children under 10 from their parents, through a sequential mixed mode design, with a strong web first design.
Understanding Society is seen as world-leading in its survey design, provides unique longitudinal data on within household dynamics for the UK and has a high international profile.
Duties of the Role
This post will focus on investigating attrition and evaluating initiatives to improve response rates and reduce response bias among different subsamples of the Study. Additionally, research may include the evaluation of field outcomes of various components of the study, including the recent boost sample, and analysis to inform future boost samples planned at wave 20.
The post requires an understanding of survey methods and statistics, especially as they relate to longitudinal studies, and a commitment to rigorous evaluation so that we both provide the highest quality data from these initiatives and create generalisable learning about survey design.
A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found within the job pack.
Qualifications and Skills required
Applicants should possess, or be nearing completion of, a PhD in quantitative social sciences, with a strong focus on methods or practice.
You must have experience in conducting advanced quantitative analyses using large-scale, complex survey data. Proficiency in data management, statistical analysis and programming is also required.
This is a research position, and no teaching duties are associated to this post. This is a fixed-term position for three years due to a temporary funding source.
At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.
To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives. For more information see: https://www.essex.ac.uk/life/student-facilities/religion-and-faith
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification, which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please email the Resourcing Team (resourcing@essex.ac.uk).
*More information: Working at the University
