Yajuan writes:

The Survey Research Center (SRC) in the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan has conducted investigator-initiated, survey-based research on theoretical and applied problems of both social and scientific importance for over 70 years (https://www.src.isr.umich.edu). SRC has over 250 research and support staff and research volumes of about $85 million per year.

SRC is the site of a large group of PhD-level survey methodologists that includes Fred Conrad, Mick Couper, Michael Elliott, Steven Heeringa, Sunghee Lee, Roderick Little, Zeina Mneimneh, Trivellore Raghunathan, Yajuan Si, James Wagner, and Brady West. Together they form the Survey Methodology Program, which pursues cutting-edge statistical and methodological research with investigator-initiated research grants. The center also contains the Survey Research Operations unit, which has over 150 technical staff working on applied design and implementation of large complex sample surveys with advanced data collection technologies. These include large-scale ongoing longitudinal surveys, one-time complex mixed mode designs (face-to-face, web, mail, telephone, bodily fluid samples, administrative records), and development of large-scale survey software capabilities.

The center invites applications from (and nominations of) outstanding candidates for an open rank Research Professor position. Suitable candidates at the Research Assistant Professor level will be recent doctoral graduates from programs in the quantitative and computational social sciences. Candidates at this level should have a demonstrated interest in innovative survey methodology, including familiarity with new data sources for social research and measurement, via their dissertation work; evidence of a developing research agenda; and an initial record of research dissemination in this area. Suitable candidates at the Research Associate Professor or Research Professor ranks will have an established record of accomplishment and excellence in obtaining research funding and publishing original and innovative research in survey methodology that preferably incorporates new data sources. An established teaching record defined by consistently positive student evaluations would also be preferable for all levels, but is not required.

Candidates will be able to pursue their own research interests through external funding and collaborate with other scientists in ongoing research programs at the University of Michigan and beyond. It is anticipated that the candidates will also teach courses and mentor students in the Michigan Program in Survey Methodology (MPSM), a graduate degree-granting program at the University of Michigan.

Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge and interest in survey methodology, including (for example) topics in questionnaire design, nonresponse and measurement error, mode effects, responsive and adaptive design, total survey error, interviewer effects, uses of big data for conducting social research, and other areas related to the fundamentals of data collection from human populations. We are interested in researchers who would thrive in our entrepreneurial, interdisciplinary, collegial, yet highly autonomous culture. Individuals from groups historically under-represented in the social sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants will submit a cover letter describing their scholarly activities, any funded research programs and plans, and interest in the Survey Research Center; a curriculum vita; a list of references; and up to three recent publications. All applicants must submit their applications on our online applications site, Interfolio, at https://apply.interfolio.com/68027.

Please direct questions or inquiries to [email protected]. Reference #68027.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

For more details, please visit:

http://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/180083/assistant_research_professor_associate_research_professor_research_professor

Say what you want about the University of Michigan, but they have a better football team than Rutgers (or Columbia, for that matter).

In all seriousness, survey research is a fascinating and underrated area of statistics. The world’s best researchers should apply for this one.