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We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Survey Specialist to join our Data Collection team. This individual will assist with all phases of survey project preparation and implementation for the MTF Cognition Project data collection, the Healthy Brains Study, at the Monitoring the Future (MTF) program. This position reports to Ginny Laetz, Data Collection Lead.

MTF is a large-scale, national study of youth and adults in the US, making it one of the most prominent research efforts within the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR). Since its inception in 1975, MTF has collected data from well over a million respondents, with the MTF Longitudinal Panel Study actively engaging research participants through age 70. These studies have been supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and have been ongoing continuously for several decades. In addition, the MTF Cognition project recently funded by the National Institute of Aging will examine adolescent and young adult substance use and educational experiences as prospective predictors of cognition later in life, which will fund this position.

35% Data Collection Management Activities

Assist project manager with all phases of survey project preparation and implementation for the Healthy Brains data collection study. Including pre-production, production management, project deliverables, documentation, and methods analysis; assist with preparing project work plans and schedules in consultation with project manager and project team members. Assist in maintaining and updating multi-mode survey and participant tracking systems, including multiple sequel server data sources. Monitor partial and complete survey response data. Track participant PII, response and paradata using a variety of programs to clean, manipulate and summarize data. Write queries in SQL to provide real-time monitoring and summary information. Assist in the design and implementation of data collection tasks including emails, personalized mailings and specialized tracking. Assist in the development of training materials, assist with training sessions.

35% Survey Design, Implementation and Documentation

Assist in survey development, including scripting and testing survey instruments, summarizing testing protocols and results, preparation of specifications for development of technical systems, and defining variable level data specifications. Test surveys for skip patterns, text accuracy, and debug before production. Review final data and prepare for data delivery to data managers. Assist with managing survey annual updates. Manage multiple question item databases to ensure survey consistency and documentation for data management.

20% Supervision of Temporary Staff

Functional supervision of temporary staff, ensure protocols are being consistently followed by staff through review and monitoring of work products, implement quality control procedures, participate in problem identification and resolution during data collection and processing periods.

10% Report Analysis and Production

Assist in conducting analysis of data collection methods and procedures, and response rates. Prepare reports and data visualization for internal and external stakeholders.

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field (Psychology, sociology, statistics, economics, business, social sciences, etc) and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• One or more years of hands-on survey research (or related) experience with a track record of taking on more complex tasks

• Demonstrated competence in MS Office software, Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets for team collaboration

• One or more years of experience designing web surveys

• Demonstrated skills with database management including queries, reports, SQL programming, VBA

• Excellent communication and organizational skills with the ability to compose basic instructions, memos, and revise documents and manuals using word processing software.

• Advanced skills with database management

• Experience with web design

• Demonstrated knowledge using critical thinking skills in problem solving

• Experience with testing of technical systems

• Experience in manipulation of small data sets for simple file creation and presentation in tables

• Experience using statistical techniques and/or software (e.g. SAS, SPSS, R, Excel, etc.)

• Experience using AI to aid in writing complex queries for data manipulation

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Monday-Friday days.

This position is located at the University of Michigan offices in Ann Arbor. If the project tasks assigned, job performance, and SRC policy allow, the option for a schedule including limited off-site work may be available after an initial period of orientation; otherwise, onsite may be required.

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Benefits at the University of Michigan

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, U-M offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous time off; retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year; many choices for comprehensive health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability coverage; and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses. Learn more about U-M benefits.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.