Senior Statistician

the National Centre for Social Research
Edinburgh
1 month ago
Applications closed

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Description

Role:Senior Statistician
Location:London/Edinburgh
Department:Social Surveys - Statistics
Contract:Permanent

NatCen is a leading social research organization that works to provide valuable insights and data for a better understanding of society. We are seeking a Senior Statistician to join our dynamic team. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced statistician to make a significant impact on survey design and data analysis.


What you will do...

  • Design complex sampling and weighting schemes from scratch with minimal input from other statisticians.
  • Select survey samples using statistical software with minimal input from other statisticians; check/QA samples generated by other statisticians.
  • Generate survey weights for survey analysis with minimal input from other statisticians; check/QA weights generated by other statisticians.
  • Review, develop, and implement new methodology related to survey design and analysis with minimal supervision.
  • Undertake complex data analysis using techniques such as logistic regression and Latent Class Analysis (LCA).
  • Advise/teach researchers and customers on statistical and methodological issues with support from other statisticians (where required).
  • Be part of the tendering process for research projects – both contributing to Research Proposals and being a member of the team for tendering interviews.
  • Lead on the tendering process for methods projects, including grant applications.
  • Write sections/chapters for research and technical reports with minimal input from other statisticians.
  • Contribute to the development and mentoring of more junior staff.
  • Disseminate statistical work via conferences and written reports/papers.
  • Support the Head of Statistics with line management.
  • Perform any other reasonable duties that NatCen may require that are consistent with the broad nature of the job role.


What you will need...

  • Good academic background, preferably including a degree with substantial statistical content.
  • Substantial experience working in survey research; for example, in social/market research, government, other public/voluntary sector, or academia.
  • Knowledge of survey statistics, with practical experience of survey sampling and weighting.
  • Familiarity with SPSS, R, Stata, or a similar statistical package (with substantial experience of scripting/coding using the relevant command language).
  • Good standard of written English.
  • Aptitude for explaining complex statistical issues in a clear and comprehensible manner, with experience of doing this in a professional environment.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple deadlines, with experience of doing this in a professional environment.
  • Keen eye for detail.
Nice to Have:
  • Experience with sampling/weighting on probability panels would be an advantage but is not essential.
  • Experience of line management is not essential but would be an advantage.
NatCen Requirements:
  • Maintain high ethical standards.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of all responsibilities in relation to maintaining confidentiality with both written and oral communication.
  • Actively conform to the legislative and procedural requirements in relation to the collection, management, storage, and destruction of data.
  • Follow the requirements of our Operating Standards and also meet the requirements of all our ISO standards.
  • Other duties which may be required from time to time.


What you'll get...

As well as a competitive salary and an excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:
  • 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) rising to 30 days holiday after three years’ service
  • An excellent defined contribution pension scheme with NatCen contributing 7.5% of your salary
  • Extensive flexible working arrangements, including part-time and remote working, suiting people at different stages in their life and career
  • Personal and professional development
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
  • Discount packages with a range of retailers, e.g. shopping, utilities and leisure
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Season Ticket Loan
  • Free eye tests
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Payment of one professional subscription
  • Group Life Assurance paying up to 5 x the annual salary to nominated beneficiaries in the event of death in service
At The National Centre for Social Research we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people’s lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. And as an independent, not-for-profit organisation we’re able to focus our time and energy on meeting our clients’ needs and delivering social research that works for society.

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