Project Manager – The Social Study

at  KU Leuven

Project Manager – The Social Study
(ref. BAP-2024-549)
Laatst aangepast: 12/08/24
The Center for Sociological Research (CeSO) of KU Leuven, is looking for a motivated Project Manager for The Social Study (TSS), an Online Probability Panel infrastructure. TSS is the first scientific online panel based on randomly selected participants in Belgium and aims to significantly increase the availability of high-quality survey data in Belgium for science and policy. This panel consists of about 5000 randomly selected citizens who are regularly (6 to 10 times a year) surveyed online about living together, politics, economics, and physical and mental health. The panel allows for the rapid collection of scientifically sound data on the behaviors, preferences, and attitudes of the population. TSS is an interdisciplinary and interuniversity initiative supported by all Flemish and French-speaking universities in Belgium. Further information about the infrastructure can be found on the TSS website.
The Project Manager will be part of the TSS staff team and will work closely with the PIs and the other members of the TSS team. This team consists of scientific collaborators connected to VUB, ULB, UGent and UAntwerpen.
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Responsibilities
The Project Manager is part of the TSS operational staff team. In this versatile position, you will, in collaboration with other members of the TSS team, be responsible for operational co-management of the TSS. Concretely, the Project Manager will take on responsibilities in the areas of data management, financial management as well as internal and external communication.

The position includes the following duties:

• Data management. Together with other staff members, you will be responsible for data management. This includes the processing, storage, archiving and publication of data files as well as making linkage with other data sources possible. In particular, you are responsible for (a) privacy and scientific ethics; (b) developing a data linkage strategy in collaboration with STATBEL to make the linkage between survey and administrative data possible; (c) archiving and publication of data files (including documentation of data and codebook creation).
• Financial management. The Project Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the financial resources stemming from different sources (including subsidies and incomes from selling questionnaire space). Key duties include (a) managing the available budgets, and ensuring projects align with financial goals and regulations; (b) preparing financial reports for the Executive Committee, the General Assembly and other stakeholders; (c) developing a business model for the sale of questionnaire space to researchers that makes the infrastructure sustainable in the long term; (d) liaising with financial and legal services at KU Leuven and ULB for an efficient management of the financial aspects of TSS.
• Communication. For the long-term success of TSS, efficient communication within the consortium as well as with external stakeholders is of key importance. You take initiatives to make the possibilities of collecting data via TSS known to external researchers. You assist the PIs in negotiating collaborations with governmental stakeholders, such as the federal and regional governments or STATBEL. In addition, you represent TSS on the international level and promote international collaborations with similar infrastructures in neighboring countries.

Profile

• You have at least a Master’s degree in Social Sciences (Sociology, Communication Studies or Political Science), Psychology, Economics, Statistics, Data Sciences, or equivalent with a strong interest in survey research. A doctoral degree is considered a plus but not required.
• You have a strong interest in scientific statistical research.
• You have at least 5 years of relevant research experience in survey research, quantitative data collection and/or statistical analysis. Experience with project management (including the financial aspect) is highly recommended.
• You have a thorough basic knowledge of quantitative research methods and are proficient in analyzing research data (SPSS, Stata or R). You have a talent for making numbers speak for themselves.
• You are interested in further developing your analytical and synthesizing skills.
• You are interested in further developing your skills in communication and marketing.
• You are organizationally strong and plan your work so that you can combine different projects. You have time management skills.
• You easily make contacts and enjoy working in a team.
• You are fluent in Dutch (mother tongue or equivalent) and have a good command of English. A good command of French is considered a plus.
• You are positive, loyal and sociable and show commitment
• You can communicate and report fluently. You take initiative and engage in consultation to address issues.
• You value integrity in research.

Offer

• We offer you a full-time position as an academic researcher for a period of 2 years. The grading of the appointment will depend on the qualifications of the selected candidate (master vs. PhD). With favorable evaluation and continued infrastructure, there is the possibility of a longer-term position.
• A pleasant working atmosphere in a young and highly motivated research team.
• Interesting opportunities for training and advancement.
• TSS attaches great importance to an organizational climate in which employees can actively contribute to the organization’s objectives and develop their own talents. You will be working in an environment where initiative is appreciated, and personal commitment is encouraged.

Interested?
For more information please contact prof. dr. Bart Meuleman, mail: bart.meuleman@kuleuven.be.
You can apply for this job no later than September 06, 2024 via the online application tool
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
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Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds
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Locatie : Leuven
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Solliciteren tot en met:

• Data management. Together with other staff members, you will be responsible for data management. This includes the processing, storage, archiving and publication of data files as well as making linkage with other data sources possible. In particular, you are responsible for (a) privacy and scientific ethics; (b) developing a data linkage strategy in collaboration with STATBEL to make the linkage between survey and administrative data possible; (c) archiving and publication of data files (including documentation of data and codebook creation).
• Financial management. The Project Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the financial resources stemming from different sources (including subsidies and incomes from selling questionnaire space). Key duties include (a) managing the available budgets, and ensuring projects align with financial goals and regulations; (b) preparing financial reports for the Executive Committee, the General Assembly and other stakeholders; (c) developing a business model for the sale of questionnaire space to researchers that makes the infrastructure sustainable in the long term; (d) liaising with financial and legal services at KU Leuven and ULB for an efficient management of the financial aspects of TSS.
• Communication. For the long-term success of TSS, efficient communication within the consortium as well as with external stakeholders is of key importance. You take initiatives to make the possibilities of collecting data via TSS known to external researchers. You assist the PIs in negotiating collaborations with governmental stakeholders, such as the federal and regional governments or STATBEL. In addition, you represent TSS on the international level and promote international collaborations with similar infrastructures in neighboring countries