How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. Applications receiving serious consideration will include a cover letter that clearly addresses the applicant's interest in the position and that specifically relates the skills and experience that are relevant to the required and desired qualifications described in this posting.

Summary

The Computational Social Science (CSS) research group at the Center for the Study of Complex Systems is seeking a Data Analyst who will primarily be responsible for developing and executing statistical analyses in consultation with Elizabeth Bruch, the PI. The Center for the Study of Complex Systems is an interdisciplinary center at the University of Michigan devoted to the study of nonlinear, dynamic, and/or adaptive systems. The CSS group focuses on how large-scale online activity data can reveal insights about human behavior, and the social or population dynamics those behaviors generate. This is a one-year position.

The applicant should have a strong statistical and data science background; they should possess broad knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures for quantitative social research. He or she should expect to work with minimum supervision, conferring with the PI on unusual matters, and may be asked to supervise research assistants. The effort on this project will be divided roughly 50:50 across two different projects: (1) finalizing the statistical analyses for a national study of U.S. online dating markets; and (2) cleaning and analyzing anonymized data from a novel dating app that will be launched in AY 2023-2024.
 

National Study of U.S. Online Dating Markets

This study is nearing completion, but there are a few remaining analyses left to do and also we will want to audit all the code to ensure it is correct and create a set of replication materials. The remaining analyses will be done in the R programming language, and primarily involves minor modifications of an existing code base. Importantly, this person will also read through written papers and ensure that they can replicate and support the conclusions from the analysis. They will interpret models in addition to running them. A second set of tasks is to construct visualizations from the final set of results, which will also be done in R using the ggplot library. For this, you will need to generate new code. Finally, this person will construct a full set of replication materials for the project, ensuring that each result can easily be traced back to a particular part of the code base.

Data Analysis from Dating App 
We will be launching a dating app in AY 2023-2024. The analyst will be working with us to analyze the data coming into the app, making weekly reports, and helping us understand how it is working and how to improve it. This work will involve working with consultants here at the university to construct an SQL database to store the data, querying the database and running descriptive analyses of the data (in any programming language), as well as creating presentations and reports about the findings. Depending on the person who fills the position, there is an option to coauthor a research paper based on our findings; this will involve writing and reading the relevant literature.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Responsibilities*

The work includes data management [20%]; estimation and interpretation of models [25%]; detailed documentation and creation of replication materials [20%]; writing up results [10%]; writing reports [15%]; and high-level data visualization [10%]. 

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in statistics, engineering, computer science, information, or a quantitatively oriented social science field such as political science or economics
• At least 2 years experience (in either a work or academic setting) working with large, complex research data sets including data cleaning and management, data mining and statistical analysis OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with restricted data; and/or large, complex data sets 
• Demonstrated continuous development of programming and analytic skills
• Demonstrated creativity and flexibility applying skills to identify and resolve data issues
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

Desired Qualifications*

• A Master's or doctoral degree in statistics, engineering, computer science, information, or a quantitatively oriented social science fields such as political science or economics
• Experience and familiarity with work in interdisciplinary social science settings
• Interest in and curiosity about human behavior and its implications for social experience

Additional Information

This is a 1 year term-limited position.

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

• To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.
• To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

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.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

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