Associate Director of HPRC, Surveys (Finance)

Special Instructions to Applicants : In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

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Position Summary

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research is currently hiring an Associate Director of Survey Research to join its Houston Population Research Center (HPRC). The HPRC houses the Kinder Institute's demography and survey work, which includes the Greater Houston Community Panel , and the Kinder Houston Area Survey - the longest running survey of any major metropolitan area in the nation. Individuals with experience and expertise in designing and programming surveys, cleaning and curating survey data, and developing and conducting survey research projects are encouraged to apply. The Associate Director will collaborate with the center Director to lead and work alongside a team of researchers in conducting rigorous, relevant, and innovative research that benefits the Houston area and its residents. To that end, the Associate Director must be comfortable and competent in collaborating with community partners, including nonprofit organizations, government and other local leaders, as well as with residents living in and around the Houston area (and beyond). The Associate Director will work towards producing surveys and research that is widely accessible and provides information that is being used and is impactful for improving lives. The Associate Director will also help to elevate the HPRC's work into professional conferences and academic peer-reviewed publications. The Associate Director must be a strong communicator, and able to reach across an array of different audiences. The role will also include providing supervision to other researchers on the team.

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute is currently working to build out five research centers focused on critical aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five centers will research housing , education , community and public health , economic mobility and inequality , and population dynamics . Each center will investigate its topic area and will work across centers.To achieve this, each center is building interdisciplinary teams specializing in solutions-oriented research while using a partnership model of research. The partnership model work to jointly design, develop, and conduct research that values diversity in expertise and prioritizes the community in identifying and addressing the most pressing questions and challenges facing the Houston area. The goal is for the institute's research to inform decision-making and bring about systemic change.

The ideal candidate excels in survey design, survey programming and testing, advanced statistical analysis, research methodologies, and data management, with strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills to deliver impactful research.

Workplace Requirements

This position is located on-site in the Houston area and has the potential of being a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $100,000 - $110,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. or other Doctoral Degree in Sociology, Political Science, other Social Science, or a related field
• 3+ years of postdoctoral experience in an applied social science research center or an organization

Skills:

• Possess a logical and independent mind
• Excellent interpersonal skills such as patience, determination, flexibility, and decisiveness
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication, analytical, and research skills
• Excellent scientific and numerical skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work in a team environment, participate actively, collaborate, and motivate others

Preferences

• Experience with leading a team
• Experience developing and managing research projects, managing data, and conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, such as multilevel modeling, causal modeling, quasi-experimental methods, survey design, focus groups, and interviews
• Experience doing research in collaboration with community partners, such as working in a research-practice partnership
• Experience in grant writing
• Mission-driven with a passion for using data and research to drive public dialogue and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities in the Houston area and beyond
• Can lead quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research
• Able to simultaneously oversee multiple research projects while managing and mentoring other research staff
• Ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Adaptable to change and able to think creatively to address issues
• Able to work well with many people and many personalities

Essential Functions

• Collaborate effectively with the Director of the Houston Population Research Center to advance the mission and vision of the Kinder Institute and the research agenda of the center
• Manages complex research projects
• Design, test, program, and launch periodic surveys in multiple languages
• Performs research, conducting independent studies, facilitating other ongoing research, and developing and validating new protocols, methodologies, and/or theories
• Oversees the effective communication of research findings to community partners and other stakeholders through research briefs and papers, presentations, and conferences
• Actively works to improve the institute's reputation and research capabilities
• Contributes to the pursuit of new research grant opportunities
• Mentors, supervises, and trains other members of the research team by including them in ongoing research in a meaningful manner
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Effectively communicates research to non-research audiences
• Translating research findings into policy or advocacy

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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