Social Issues Researcher (Quantitative)

The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) is an autonomous research institute within National University of Singapore. IPS Social Lab is looking for up to TWO (2) researchers who will assist with ongoing and upcoming workstreams involving social policy and socio-cultural issues in the Singapore context.While researchers are expected to contribute in many ways to ongoing projects at IPS, typical work includes some combination of the following (though usually not all at once!):=====================Core ResponsibilitiesScoping and collating literature reviewsAssisting in the design of survey instruments and experiments, including sampling strategies, questionnaire development, and data-collection protocolsCollecting, cleaning, formatting, and analysing primary/secondary data using a combination of statistical software (SPSS / R) and survey administration platforms (Qualtrics)Managing and running research-driven programming and eventsPreparing documentation for institutional research ethics board reviewsPreparing interview/focus group questionnairesManaging some aspects of fieldwork administration including field interviewer briefings, project progress monitoring, and data quality controls, in partnership with a dedicated fieldwork operations teamEngaging and managing stakeholders across workstreamsAttending project meetings, briefings, and subject-matter-expertise seminars as necessarySummarising project results and preparing progress reports for the PI and funding agenciesWriting papers, articles, reports, chapters, and preparing presentations for internal, stakeholder, and public consumptionPresenting findings or analyses for internal, stakeholder, and public consumption as necessary=====================Ad-hoc ResponsibilitiesAssisting with events and outreach associated with research workstreams, such as rapporteuring, planning, and hosting conferences and workshopsOther administrative tasks as assigned=====================To be considered for this role, you should fulfill the following criteria at a minimum:Be a Singapore Citizen (owing to the nature of IPS Social Lab workstreams)Have a good academic track record, including a Bachelor's (for positions pegged at the Research Assistant-level) or Master's (for positions pegged at the Research Associate-level) in a social sciences discipline from a reputable universityHave a strong grounding in quantitative methods and proven ability to handle and analyse large datasets.Be familiar with statistical and programming software (especially SPSS, Qualtrics, and/or R) and data analysisPossess strong English language communication skills, with an ability to write in a clear, engaging, coherent, and expedited fashionExhibit keen interest in research pertaining to social issues, sentiments, and policies=====================The following are some optional criteria that will significantly advantage your application:Possess experience in conducting survey fieldwork or other forms of research data collectionDemonstrate strong commitment to meeting deadlines and have a track record of producing work that reflects a maturity of thoughtHigh attentiveness to detail and committed to data accuracy and qualityIndependent and highly initiatedDemonstrate familiarity with IPS' public-facing outputs such as Working Papers, opinion editorials/commentaries, and media mentionsExperience in leveraging quantitative research methodology (e.g., proficiency in SPSS / R programming; experimental design)Experience with survey administration on platforms like Qualtrics and/or a content management systemExperience in leveraging qualitative research methodology (e.g., interviews, focus groups, participant observations, systematic literature reviews)Proficiency (written and spoken) in a second language (either Mandarin Chinese, Malay, or Tamil)Experience in a prior research role (e.g., an internship, or a Research Assistantship)=====================What you can expect from the job:An opportunity to work in a dynamic research team that examines socio-cultural issues; researchers in IPS Social Lab work on a variety of policy-relevant projects initiated by the Institute and various Singapore public sector agencies, utilising a variety of methods; and will be able to engage with multiple research projectsAn entry-level research role that provides excellent grounding for fresh graduates or early-career individuals, seeking to develop career pathways in the fields of public policy or social science research; across academia, public, and private sectorsOpportunities to present research findings internally and, where relevant, to government, community stakeholders, and the mediaExposure to an interdisciplinary, applied, collegial, and collaborative research environment, where you will work alongside colleagues with diverse academic training and professional backgrounds; and are encouraged to share knowledge, innovate methodologically, and build professional networksAccess to IPS' intellectual networks, including seminars, workshops, and dialogues with academics, policymakers, and practitionersDevelopment of transferable skills such as statistical analysis, research communication, event management, and stakeholder engagement, all of which are valued in public sector and consulting careers=====================Application ProcessTo apply, begin by submitting your application on LinkedIn, ensuring that an updated CV/resume is appended with the application. A short statement of interest (1/2 paragraphs) is appreciated.Shortlisted candidates can expect (1) one or two initial phone/Zoom interviews, (2) a document review stage where they will be asked to submit writing samples; (3) a personality diagnostics and skills assessment; and (4) a final panel interview. The process from application to offer typically takes about SIX (6) to EIGHT (8) weeks at a minimum.We regret that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.