Call for self-completion mode experts

The European Social Survey European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ESS ERIC) has launched a call for special advisors to help manage changes to the mode of data collection.

It was announced last month that our General Assembly has endorsed a plan to move data collection from face-to-face interviews to a ‘web first self-completion’ design.

The move follows the implementation of self-completion data collection during Round 10 (2020-22) of our survey, introduced as a response to pandemic-related restrictions in some countries.

In order to plan for this change, ESS ERIC Director, Professor Rory Fitzgerald, is looking to appoint 2-3 special advisors to work with the existing Core Scientific Team (CST) to prepare for the switch.

We are therefore looking for experts with experience of designing and implementing mixed mode surveys, especially those with a self-completion approach.

Experts in the following areas of expertise are encouraged to apply:

• Self-completion questionnaire and invitation design
• Survey mode experiments and pilots
• Mode effect measurement and correction
• Time series bridging during mode switches

Successful applicants will be engaged as consultants for a set number of days (approximately 10-15 days in the first instance) from September 2022 until December 2023.

Tasks would include attending meetings related to the planning of the mode switch and contributing to strategic and detailed discussions.

Special Advisors will also undertake thorough literature reviews and meta-analysis to help inform decision-making, analyse data from existing experiments, propose new experiments and undertake risk assessments of proposals.

Whilst this initial engagement is arranged on a consultancy basis, the option to become an institutional Member of the CST might be discussed at the end of the engagement.

These positions are open to senior academics or senior survey practitioners who are currently, or have recently been, employed in a relevant role.

Those applying should have at least eight years’ experience of working in a survey research environment.

Applications from experts with strong statistical skills and / or comparative survey experience are especially welcome.

Experts from regions of Europe where web and self-completion surveys are less common are encouraged.

Applications must be received in PDF format via email by Friday 22 July 2022. A decision will be made by end of July / early August and the consultants will be engaged by the ESS ERIC from 1 September 2022.

Call for Special Advisors