The Survey Research Center (SRC) at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research (ISR) invites applications for a full-time position of Assistant Research Scientist for the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID).

An exciting opportunity has been created for an enterprising scholar interested in biosocial approaches to health and aging.  This position will be involved at the beginning of a new effort to expand collection, processing, and evaluation of genomic data from multigenerational families. Building on the experience of the CDS collection of saliva from children and co-resident parents, this new project will collect saliva from non-resident family members, including grandparents.

How 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 vitae; list of references; and up to three recent publications.  All applicants must submit their applications on our online applications site, Interfolio, at http://apply.interfolio.com/83105

Please direct questions or inquiries to srcsearches@umich.edu.  Reference #83105

 Job Summary

SRC is a unique, world-renowned social science research center that conducts investigator initiated, survey-based research on theoretical and applied problems of social and scientific importance (please see our website): http://www.isr.umich.edu/src/. The PSID is the world’s longest running national panel study and has collected economic, social, and demographic data from U.S. families since 1968 (http://psid.org). PSID has several large supplements including the Child Development Supplement (CDS) and the Transition into Adulthood Supplement (TAS) that have collected data on children and young adults in PSID families.

An exciting opportunity has been created for an enterprising scholar interested in biosocial approaches to health and aging.  This position will be involved at the beginning of a new effort to expand collection, processing, and evaluation of genomic data from multigenerational families. Building on the experience of the CDS collection of saliva from children and co-resident parents, this new project will collect saliva from non-resident family members, including grandparents.

The Assistant Research Scientist will collaborate with the PSID leadership team and other colleagues at SRC and ISR on expanding the data to include genomic data and other contextual data.  The scientist will work closely with SRC researchers identifying biosocial processes that influence health and wellbeing across the life course. Specifically, the individual will:

• Coordinate the collection, processing, and dissemination of genomic data;
• Coordinate the processing and evaluation of the saliva samples;
• Prepare related documentation including a series of technical papers, and related user materials (e.g. online video tutorials);
• Conduct user outreach through presentations at user workshops and scientific meetings;
• Develop a related research agenda and prepare proposals for funded research, both independently and as part of the research team, and
• Coordinate with Michigan Center for the Demography of Aging (MiCDA) to enhance the contextual database available to PSID users, including Covid-19 contextual data.

Required Qualifications

A Ph.D. in a social science field, with experience in analyzing genomic data; a strong interest in genetic and social science research; experience with large national social science data sets; and excellent presentation and writing skills.

Application Deadline

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

Additional Information

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse 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.

Background Screening

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.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.