Join the Team

The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University – the world’s largest public opinion data archive – has one Graduate Assistantship available for the 9-month, 2021-22 academic year.

Pre and post A-Exam Doctoral candidates matriculated at Cornell University are eligible to apply. Applicants should have experience working with public opinion data. Dissertation research that relates to the study of public opinion is preferred.

Graduate Assistants (GAs) at Roper Center contribute to the field of public opinion research, public policy formation, and scholarly collaboration and advancement by supporting the rigorous standards for research data inclusion and dissemination employed by the Center.  GAs play an instrumental role in the preparation and processing of archived data.  Working directly with the Director of Data Operations and Data Communications, GAs assist with the preparation of new data received from a variety of public opinion sources and the processing of older data requested by the user community.

Duties will most likely include:

• Cleaning and harmonizing data
• Writing syntax to read and translate ASCII data files
• Performing basic statistical analyses
• Proofreading data labels
• Participating in other archive-related projects

Required:

• Prior research experience using data
• Knowledge of a statistical package, such as SPSS, SAS, R, and/or STATA
• Conscientious attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal skills and independent problem-solving abilities
• Good written and oral communication skills

Preferred:

• Awareness of the purpose and use of metadata
• Prior experience working with a digital data archive or repository
• Experience analyzing public opinion data
• Dissertation research that relates to public opinion

Questions or applications including a letter of intent listing at least one faculty reference, current CV and current transcript are due by 5 pm on Friday, March 12 and should be emailed to mfr47@cornell.edu.

The Kohut Fellowship honors the memory of Andrew Kohut and his numerous contributions to the science and art of survey research.

Kohut Fellows will (1) engage in their own original public opinion-focused
research project using data from the Roper Center archives;
(2) Publish a post on the Roper Center Blog that summarizes the
research results and experience, (3) learn about the methods and
techniques of survey research and other forms of public opinion
research, analysis, and dissemination; and (4) devote roughly 10
hours a week on a Roper Center archive-related project(s) at a level
appropriate to their abilities, training and educational goals,

Kohut Fellows will receive a $4,000 stipend for the summer.

Cornell graduate students and undergraduate students are
encouraged to apply. Information about past recipients is available at:
https://ropercenter.cornell.edu/about-the-center/staff/andrew-kohutfellowship-
program/

Applications must include:
(1) A two-page statement of qualifications and purpose which describes
the proposed research (collaborative research projects with faculty
are acceptable); relevant skills and experience; and how the
fellowship experience will contribute to their career goals
(2) Whether or not you expect to be in Ithaca this summer
(3) An up-to-date transcript
(4) Current resume/CV
(5) Professional reference from a member of the Cornell Faculty who
will serve as a mentor on the summer research project

Applications are due via email to mfr47@cornell.edu by Friday, March 12, 2021