ZUMA, The Centre for Survey Research and Methodology in Mannheim, Germany invites applications for four openings in the research fields below. We envisage these positions as 50% BAT IIa appointments, all initially for a period of two years. 1. Cross-national survey implementation: The successful applicant will assist in the design and project management of international studies in which researchers at the European Centre at ZUMA are involved, such as the European Social Survey, the International Social Survey Programme, and other, shorter term, projects. The post will call for your involvement in various stages of survey implementation, including selection and assessment of fieldwork strategies across countries, monitoring fieldwork progress, carrying out quality controls on data collection, developing and monitoring study and data documentation, and questionnaire development, adaptation, and testing. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their keen interest in quality issues of survey research, since this will be the focus of their position. They should also have had some experience of large-scale, preferably cross-national, survey research. A first degree in a field of clear relevance for survey research is required. 2. Cross-cultural questionnaire design, adaptation and translation: The successful applicant will be expected a) to have or acquire expertise in cross-national questionnaire design and survey translation; b) to work with ZUMA researchers on basic research projects in cross-cultural design, implementation and assessment; b) to contribute consistently to ZUMA consultations and in-house projects on cross-cultural survey implementation; d) to have or acquire a working knowledge of all aspects of the survey process lifecycle. Applicants should have a degree in linguistics, translation sciences, or survey methodology, native or near-native English (written and spoken), a strong additional language, and a keen interest in empirical social research. Candidates with cross-cultural experience in some field, a strong third language, or experience in survey research will be given preference. A suitable candidate holding a PhD could be considered for a full-time (100%) BAT IIa position. 3. Cross-national sampling: The successful applicant will be expected to a) develop a data base containing information on the sample designs of countries participating in the European Social Survey (www.europeansocialsurvey.com), b) carry out analyses of these data, c) contribute considerably to ZUMA research projects on sampling theory and practice and d) become part of the ZUMA team answering queries from social scientists and other researchers on statistical problems. Applicants should have a degree in mathematics, statistics, computer sciences or economics (statistics/econometrics). A high degree of competence in at least one computer language and in SPSS and MS-Office is required. 4. International research on adult competencies: The successful applicant will be part of a team developing a study design and instrument to assess adult competencies (acquired skills and knowledge). The study is expected to become part of an international OECD project. During the implementation phase, you will also be involved in managing, coordinating and documenting the project. Applicants will have a university degree in the social sciences, a demonstrated interest in survey methodology, and native or near-native German as well as excellent English. Other things being equal, candidates with experience in empirical social research, in competence measurement, or in large-scale (panel) surveys will be given preference. Successful applicants for all four positions are expected to be or become engaged in a PhD or a similar further qualification. This should be brought to completion or near completion within the two-year period at ZUMA. Strong people and computer skills (MS-Office package minimum), team competence and excellent English are general requirements for the four positions. Please send your application package with CV and details of relevant experience to Prof. Peter Ph. Mohler, Director of ZUMA and Head of the European Centre for Cross-Cultural Surveys at ZUMA, P.O. Box 12 21 55, D-68072 Mannheim, Germany. Closing date for applications: July 14, 2005. ZUMA is one of three institutions funded by the German government at state and federal levels to establish a social science infrastructure for the scientific community. This infrastructure is known as GESIS (Gesellschaft Sozialwissenschaftlicher Infrastruktureinrichtungen). ZUMA's two sister institutions in GESIS are the Central Archive for Empirical Social Research (ZA), University of Cologne, and the Social Science Information Centre (IZ) in Bonn. GESIS belongs to the 80-institute strong Leibniz Association. ZUMA is also a member of the ISSP (International Social Survey Programme). The appointments will be made within the European Centre for Cross-Cultural Surveys at ZUMA. The European Centre is committed to improving the quality of cross-cultural survey methodology. In collaboration with the scientific community, the Centre aims to promote the development and implementation of sustainable good practice for cross-cultural and cross-national research in design, management, monitoring, analysis, reporting, and documentation.