IRiSS Predoctoral Researcher

Posted: 18-Apr-26

Location: Stanford, California

Type: Full-time

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 108826

*This position has been deemed critical by the School of Humanities and Sciences Dean's Office and is exempt from the hiring freeze.*

The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 24 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university's largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.

Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS)
Expanding access to novel data sources, the development of powerful computing tools, and innovation in quantitative and qualitative research methods are opening a new frontier for social scientists to explore bold, inventive research questions. In this era of burgeoning social-science research, the Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS) facilitates first-rate interdisciplinary collaborations, trains the next generation of scholars, and incubates medium- to long-term research projects to address critical social challenges. IRiSS ensures that world-class, evidence-based research is produced to meet evolving problems in areas of governance and democracy, economic inequality, immigration policy, and other social issues that affect communities across the globe.

IRiSS Predoctoral Researchers Program
The Predoctoral Researchers Program at the Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS) aims to expand research capacity in the social sciences, and strengthen the pool of scholars, while providing opportunities through mentorship of new research scholars.

The IRiSS Predoctoral Researchers Program provides early-career scholars an opportunity to work directly with a faculty mentor to contribute to cutting-edge social science research. During your predoctoral research, you will develop research skills, explore academic research careers, and network with a multidisciplinary community of scholars. The goal of the program is to enhance your capacity to succeed in careers in academia and social science research. Successful outcomes for Predoctoral Researchers include continuing to competitive graduate programs in the social sciences or impactful careers involving social science skills.

IRiSS offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for scholars from diverse backgrounds.

Position Summary: The Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS) is seeking Predoctoral Researchers to participate in our 2026-2027 cohort. The Predoctoral Researchers will work under general supervision of individual faculty in one of the following social science departments: communication, economics, political science, psychology, or sociology. Please see the "How to Apply" section below. The complete list of faculty mentors and Predoctoral Researcher projects for 2026-27 can be found on the program's website.

Predoctoral Researchers are in a staff category allowing them to enroll in one course per year for credit.

This is an 100% FTE 1-year fixed-term non-exempt position, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The extension is based on renewed funding of the program and individual circumstances of each faculty project. The start date is September 14, 2026. This position will be based on the Stanford campus.

Project Description:

This is a full-time predoctoral research position focused on researching, compiling, and proposing recommendations for best practices in survey methodology. Our primary goal is to synthesize empirical literature to create the "Ball of Knowledge," a structured database and narrative handbook that distills findings from the field, identifies research gaps, and provides evidence-based recommendations for practitioners fielding surveys.

This position is supported by the Stanford Institute for Excellence in Survey Research (SIESR) and supervised by Prof. Jon Krosnick. Responsibilities span the full research pipeline: gathering literature from political science, communication, psychology, sociology, and related fields; systematic literature review and study coding; meta-analysis of empirical evidence; statistical analysis and synthesis; and manuscript preparation for academic and practitioner audiences. The RA will work closely with faculty and peer researchers on a collaborative, iterative basis to develop evidence-based recommendations grounded in rigorous empirical research.

What You Will Learn

The position provides comprehensive training in tools and practices standard in academic and applied survey research:

• Systematic literature review and evidence synthesis: Reading, abstracting, and coding primary empirical research; designing coding schemes; conducting meta-analyses.
• Database development and management: Designing structured databases to organize empirical literature; implementing consistent coding workflows; quality control and cross-checking.
• Quantitative analysis and statistical synthesis: Aggregating empirical findings using R or Stata; summarizing effect sizes and patterns across studies; producing publication-ready tables and figures.
• Academic and practitioner writing: Drafting literature reviews, synthesizing complex empirical evidence, writing for diverse audiences (researchers, practitioners, journalists).
• Collaborative research practices: Integrating citation management software; managing version-controlled manuscripts; incorporating evidence-based revisions.

The position is for recent graduates interested in pursuing a PhD in a social science, such as political science, communication, psychology, sociology, or other social science fields. The ideal candidates will have:

• Strong quantitative preparation and coursework in survey research, political science, communication, psychology, or other social sciences;
• Proficiency in statistical analysis of data using R or Stata
• The ability to quickly and accurately read, synthesize, and critically evaluate primary empirical research publications
• Excellent written communication skills for academic and general audiences
• Attention to detail and meticulousness in current best practices of science fully documenting work

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

CORE DUTIES:

• Participating in the planning and performing/conducting research tasks by applying basic knowledge and understanding of scientific theory using precedents or other published guidelines and knowledge of theory and methods when specific precedents do not exist. General instruction provided by the supervisor or principal investigator. May interpret study results in collaboration with supervisor or PI.
• Participate in the development and administration of survey instruments and rating scales requiring judgment in applying non-routine procedures or methods. Analyze and summarize results for review with supervisor. Audit the accuracy and validity of data
• Review and audit case report forms for completion and accuracy with source documents and ensure compliance with research protocols.
• Identify, select, extract and summarize data and structured information. Present summary of findings to supervisor.
• Conduct literature searches, and write literature summaries and manuscripts, requiring preliminary judgments after the supervisor outlines conceptual approach.
• Build and organize data as requested by principal investigator or supervisor; use common statistical programs requiring the application of job control language in generating and organizing data.
• Adapt new, nonstandard methods outlined by supervisor in designing and evaluating phases of research projects, (i.e., educational materials, questionnaires, strategies for recruitment, data quality control procedures and processes). May follow up with to ensure approvals and completion, seeking guidance where necessary.
• Assist with development, communication and design of research findings to internal and external audiences, which may include web updates, social media, and/or white papers, for use in recruitment, educational, or awareness of programs, with guidance from supervisor.

* Other duties may also be assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in an applicable life science, social science, physical science, or similar specific discipline. Degree must be received or expected no later than June 2026.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• General understanding of scientific theory and methods, typically gained through completion of an undergraduate degree in a related field.
• General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with study participants.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• The ability to work independently and as a member of a research team
• The ability to take initiative and see projects through to completion
• Interest in and enthusiasm for pursuing graduate studies or a career in social science research

Please see the program webpage for additional information. This position begins September 14, 2026.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please ensure the file names of uploaded documents include your name: e.g. "LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_CV.pdf."

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. Submit the following via the Stanford Careers website:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV, or resume), including the names and contact information for 2 recommenders
• College transcript(s)
• Cover letter
• Optional writing sample
• Optional background information. IRiSS is committed to building a diverse and inclusive research community. We actively recruit and mentor researchers who bring a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to our academic disciplines and strengthen our ideas. If you would like to share additional information about your background, perspectives, or experiences, please attach it as a separate document.
• Please ensure your contact information is entered correctly in the application form.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

The expected pay range for this position is $32.45 per hour.