ANES Announcement: researcher wanted for our Stanford office
ANES is a close collaboration between personnel at Stanford University, the University of Michigan, Duke University, and the University of Texas at Austin. Our major projects in the 2024 cycle include three forms of data collection: a face-to-face survey with hour-long interviews conducted both before and after the November 2024 elections, an internet survey administering the same questionnaire to a nationally representative sample recruited by mail to take the survey online, and a paper questionnaire offered as an alternative to the internet mode.
We are seeking a researcher to join our Stanford-based staff and to contribute to many aspects of running the ANES. Our work includes the following activities. Apply for the job here.
ANES develops questionnaires. We receive proposals from researchers (mostly professors and graduate students) suggesting particular research agendas to be pursued in the questionnaires; we evaluate those proposals and provide feedback to the proposers, sometimes requesting revised proposals. We test survey questions to assure that they are effective measurement tools. We adapt questionnaires originally developed for face-to-face interviewing to run on the Internet. We will soon adapt such questionnaires for a mail survey.
We also conduct methodological research to improve the ANES. We develop and refine new methods to select and recruit representative samples of respondents to complete surveys online and in person. We match survey respondents to voter files.
We also oversee data collection and disseminate data. We write study documentation and provide support to a large community of data users. We edit data files, analyze data, supervise data collection firms, run a website, manage a budget, and generate reports for the research community, the ANES Board, and the NSF.
Our new staff member will work collaboratively with the study’s Principal Investigators (Shanto Iyengar at Stanford and Nicholas Valentino at Michigan), Associate Principal Investigators (Sunshine Hillygus at Duke and Daron Shaw at Texas), professional staff, and research assistants.
The new staff member’s work will include:
- Working collaboratively with an intellectually diverse team of researchers.
- Writing, editing, and reviewing questionnaires and their programming specifications.
- Testing computer implementation of questionnaires.
- Reviewing and analyzing data files using statistical software.
- Writing statistical program code in Stata, SPSS, or R
- Preparing data files for public release.
- Writing, editing, and reviewing survey documentation and reports.
- Reviewing and designing methods for survey data collection.
- Managing and monitoring the activities of firms doing data collection.
- Supervising student research assistants.
- Managing administrative tasks for the project.
- Coauthoring journal articles for publication.
- Collaborating with ANES staff at the University of Michigan.
This is a full time, 2 year fixed term position. This position is typically based at the Stanford campus but is open to remote employees. Additional information regarding possible remote employment and other flexibility options, including FTE flexibility, will be provided during the interview process.
If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply by submitting a CV and cover letter by early February 2023. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.
CORE DUTIES:
- Assist in designing experiments, exercising independent initiative and judgment gained from completing a variety of high-level assignments, including activities such as defining variables, formulating hypotheses, and selecting subjects, sources of information, or planning and coordinating experimental protocols.
- Adapt or work out the details of new, nonstandard procedures, with the supervisor providing only general guidance and suggestions.
- Interpret, synthesize, and analyze data using scientific or statistical techniques.
- Solve problems, and make decisions that affect the direction of the research and result in independent contributions to the overall project.
- Select and apply standard calculations and formulas independently to compile data or process documents; often serve as a resource for research methods and numerical analyses.
- Co-author sections of research publications and regulatory reports as needed.
- Complete project-related administrative and budgetary responsibilities of a limited scope as needed.
- Supervise staff or students as needed, including oversight and instruction on techniques, as well as consultation on project work.
- *Other duties may also be assigned.
Education & Experience
Bachelor of Arts degree in an applicable social science-related field and two years applicable experience, or combination of education and relevant experience in an applicable social science. Advanced degree in a social science (e.g., political science, psychology, sociology, communication, economics), survey methodology, or statistics, with an emphasis on using statistical methods in social science settings is highly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Comprehensive understanding of scientific theory and methods.
- General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs.
- Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment.
- Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
- Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately.
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work with human study participants.
- Developing supervisory skills.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
- Experience conducting empirical research in the social sciences
- Proficiency in using software for data analysis (e.g., Stata, R, SPSS), with an emphasis on data management
- Proficiency with a programming language (e.g., Python)
- Experience planning and conducting surveys
- Experience writing articles for academic journal publication
- Expertise in one or more of the following areas: American politics, survey sampling, statistical data analysis, statistical programming, questionnaire design, research methodology, project management
- Proven ability to work to deadline and work well in a dynamic, collaborative environment
This remote role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate. The expected pay range for this position is $56,000 to $80,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.