Research Project Manager - Survey Research Center

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 66,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Penn State University’s Penn State Survey Research Center seeks a Research Project Manager to lead multiple projects, including BRFSS. The role involves coordinating teams, managing timelines, budgets, and survey methods, and delivering datasets and reports with rigorous quality controls.

The position emphasizes collaboration with PIs, funding partners, and diverse staff, requiring strong communication, organizational, and data management skills. Hybrid arrangements may be considered.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree with 1+ year of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as main point of contact with project team, PIs and funding partners.
• Manage project scopes, timelines, deliverables and communications.
• Track budgets, spending and invoicing.
• Develop protocols, survey instruments and data collection plans across methods (telephone, web, mail, field, interviews, focus groups).
• Supervise and analyze survey data and paradata for reports to PIs and partners.
• Provide best practices for social science data collection.
• Identify QA improvements and project risks; implement solutions.
• Hire, develop and supervise part-time and full-time staff.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Data management

Survey tools

Budget tracking

Team supervision

Education

Master’s Degree

Tools

REDCap

Qualtrics

SPSS

R

Zoom

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Penn State Survey Research Center (SRC) seeks qualified applicants for the position of Research Project Manager to join their talented team. This position will be filled at the Research Project Manager - Intermediate Professional level. Primary duties include management and coordinating various projects, including the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) project, a CDC-sponsored research study.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serving as the main point of contact internally with the project team and with various Primary Investigators (PIs) and funding partners.
• Managing project scopes of work, timelines, deliverables, and communication between internal and external teams.
• Tracking project budgets, spending, and invoicing.
• Directing efforts to develop protocols and survey instruments, collect and manage data, and provide finalized datasets and methodology reports across quantitative and qualitative methods such as telephone interviewing, web surveys, mail surveys, field projects, one on‑one interviews, and focus groups.
• Supervising and conducting analysis of survey and paradata to present to PIs and funding partners.
• Providing cutting edge recommendations and best practices for social science data collection.
• Identifying and implementing changes/improvements to quality assurance processes across projects.
• Identifying potential project risks and corresponding solutions across projects.
• Supervising staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management for part‑time/wage payroll staff as well as supervision and mentorship of full‑time project assistants.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Responsibility, initiative, and good judgement.
• Dedication to working with a diverse team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a high level of responsiveness.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively to manage project timelines without losing sight of the high priority items.
• Exemplary organizational skills with great attention to detail and creative problem‑solving skills.
• Familiarity with survey tools (e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics) and understanding of data management in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R pipeline).
• Proficiency in using Zoom and Microsoft Office Software (e.g., Teams, Excel).

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Master’s Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

• PA State Police Criminal Background Check
• PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form
• Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $65,508.00 - $94,980.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional well‑being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging.

We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive.

We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

Work Arrangement: This position requires an in‑office presence but may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement.

Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land‑grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.