Research Methodologist

Pew Research Center • Washington, DC

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Pew Research Center's U.S. survey methods team manages its American Trends Panel (ATP), a multi-mode, probability-based survey panel that is its primary source of survey data for U.S. public opinion research. This role also provides guidance for all of the Center’s domestic public opinion research. The Research Methodologist reports to the Associate Director for U.S. Survey Methods and works closely with the Principal Methodologist on sampling, weighting, and other programming-intensive duties. The Research Methodologist performs a range of duties to support the evolving needs of the Center’s survey methods team. These duties include, but are not limited to, data management, data wrangling, sampling, weighting, quality checking, data and questionnaire archiving, and supporting the ATP Panel Manager as needed during survey preparation and fielding. Furthermore, the Research Methodologist may support research and experimentation in the field of survey methodology, such as survey nonresponse, question wording effects, and nonprobability surveys.

Requirements

• Strong proficiency programming in the R statistical programming language is required. (Beginner level R users would not be a fit for this role).
• Some familiarity with SPSS is also a plus.
• 3-5 years research experience, including 2-3 years of professional experience with the execution of probability-based complex survey designs (e.g., drawing stratified samples, constructing weights) and incorporation of complex sample designs in analysis (e.g., using weighted data)
• 1-3 years experience with survey logistics (e.g., testing web survey instruments)
• B.A. degree in survey methodology, statistics or quantitative social science field is required
• Ability to work well in a team setting
• Interest in public opinion and polling required
• A “numbers person” with strong quantitative and survey statistical skills
• Detail oriented with exacting standards to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Interest in expanding skills to cover new analytical tools and methods
• Ability to balance numerous tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines

Nice To Haves

• advanced degree strongly preferred
• Strong familiarity with more advanced operations in R, such as wrangling data with the tidyverse or equivalent frameworks, writing custom functions, and writing reproducible code, is preferred.
• Familiarity with accessing and working with national public datasets and statistical databases preferred
• Problem solving skills, such as being able to properly diagnose and debug unexpected results or errors, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draw and check complex survey samples
• Create and check survey weights in R
• Analysis of weighted survey data in R
• Managing survey data in R (especially cleaning, merging and recoding variables)
• Assist with the operation of the American Trends Panel including sampling, weighting, quality checking online survey programming, and production support
• Conduct ad hoc analyses for research and methods teams with oversight from the Principal Methodologist or Associate Director.
• Write methodology sections for reports and maintain methodology-related materials on the website
• Maintain survey question archive
• Maintain familiarity with the latest developments in survey methodology

Benefits

• Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits.
• Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
• Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans
• Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year.
• Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component.
• Flexibility to telework a portion of each week, with an additional four telework “flex weeks” each year for most staff.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree