The Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)The Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), founded over 25 years ago, is a research department in the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Essex.
The Department wishes to appoint a talented and ambitious survey methods researcher to work on a research project related to Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Understanding Society is a major longitudinal survey initially covering 40,000 households across the UK and includes an Innovation Panel that is used for methodological development and testing(https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk).
The Role and DutiesThis post is based in the survey methods research group at ISER and is part of a research project funded by the Nuffield Foundation. The purpose of this post is to provide support for the research project that aims to examine which factors influence the decision of survey respondents to consent to data linkage and to develop and test ways of maximising informed consent, in particular in mixed mode surveys involving web data collection and when consent for linkages to multiple datasets are requested.
The successful candidate will collaborate with leading experts in survey methodology to produce and disseminate high quality research. The candidate will contribute to data analysis and writing of manuscripts for publication in academic journals, and could potentially lead on papers related to this work. They will also contribute to the development work for experiments, to monitoring fieldwork, and to preparing and documenting data collected for the project. In addition they will be expected to contribute to the organization of an end of project conference.
Qualifications and SkillsThe post is open to researchers with a PhD in survey methodology or quantitative social science (or be close to completion), or a Master's degree with a track record of academic publications in survey methodology or quantitative social science.
You will be required to have a keen research interest in survey methodology and experience of quantitative analysis using large-scale survey data.
A combination of technical aptitude and good interpersonal skills is required, as is an ability to negotiate and co-ordinate activities with collaborators involved in the project. Computer literacy with a proficiency with advanced statistical packages, excellent written and verbal communication and organisational skills, the ability to work effectively in a team and to deadlines, accuracy and an eye for detail, as well as self-motivation and initiative are all essential qualities required of applicants.
The post is fixed-term, full-time for 24 months (or until 29 February 2020, the date on which the research grant ends), as there is uncertainty about its continued funding in the foreseeable future. Part-time working will be considered at a minimum of 0.8 FTE.
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Please see the further detail link below for 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 telephone the Resourcing Team (01206 874588/873521).
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