Research Science Lead

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please include a copy of your resume and a cover letter as one document, with your cover letter as the first page. (Applications without cover letters will not be considered.)

Job Summary

At the Institute for Research on Innovation & Science (IRIS), you'll join a small, mission-driven team that works closely with universities, and state and federal partners to develop reliable data and practical insights about research and workforce dynamics. Our work environment is collaborative, innovative, and grounded in steady engagement with community and institutional partners. The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Jason Owen-Smith and a national group of collaborators to develop and expand the Industries of Ideas (IofI) project. IofI combines new data on research and training investments in AI in universities with data on jobs, earnings, education, and skills. IofI produces timely, local, and actionable information because it partners with local experts to identify pressing local questions and develop indicators that can be used to support proactive decisions. Trust is critical, so the IofI approach is to provide clear, transparent, and open standards produced with partners, and develop clear trust metrics for each product. IofI was recently funded for three years by the National Science Foundation Technology, Innovation & Partnerships (NSF-TIP) directorate. More information on the project is available at: https://industriesofideas.ai/.

Term-limited: This is a term-limited position for two years, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance, conduct, continued availability of work, and funding.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Responsibilities*

The Research Team Lead will be primarily responsible for:

Scientific and Team Leadership

Working closely with Professor Jason Owen-Smith:

• Contribute to project scientific leadership and helping to direct project related technical and scientific work at IRIS
• Participate in and contribute to the leadership of a growing scientific research team focused on the use of large-scale data and computational tools to break new ground in the measurement and analysis of research and innovation
• Contribute to or lead aspects of data development, project planning, research analysis, writing, presentation, and publication of findings
• Serve in a leadership role on new funding proposals including a planned renewal to support IofI expansion and ongoing IRIS research activities

Stakeholder Engagement, Partner Support, & Product Development

• Coordinate with stakeholders in state workforce and higher education agencies, local business communities, universities and other higher education organizations, and federal science agencies to facilitate the product development, data, and methodological work of IofI
• Support and deepen effective collaborative relationships with partners to expand project data, capabilities, and partnerships
• Aid in developing new lines of funding to facilitate continued project expansion

Integration, Innovation, and Ongoing Research Development

• Integrate IofI work at IRIS with the Institute's ongoing research, data, and product development efforts
• Contribute to projects that use dynamic network analysis to refine IRIS and IofI data products capturing regional economic and workforce impacts of academic research (Current project work is supported by NSF-TIP, the NSF Research on Research Security Program (RoRS), the NSF Human Networks and Data Science (HNDS) program, the National Institutes of Health, The State of Michigan, Welcome Leap, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation)

Required Qualifications*

• Ph.D. in a social science, information science, science and engineering, or policy field
• 8+ years of experience relevant to the IofI project and other IRIS work
• Demonstrated history of research success in the form of scientific publications, awarded and completed grants, or ability to secure resources (e.g. through federal, state, or corporate budgetary processes) to support and develop research programs and teams
• Documented experience in research team leadership including work with professional and technical staff and mentorship of students or trainees
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Expertise in data science, network science, and/or advanced statistical methods for constructing and analyzing large scale linked data from multiple restricted sources
• Familiarity with restricted data, privacy confidentiality protections, and negotiation of data use agreements with academic, corporate, federal, and/or state partners
• Demonstrated history of productive, effective collaboration with non-academic partners such as state and federal agencies or corporations

Desired Qualifications*

• Demonstrated experience in producing and disseminating findings that address policy relevant questions about science and technology innovation, higher education, economic and/or workforce development for non-academic audiences
• Familiarity with graph and/or semantic machine learning models and techniques, network and textual vector embedding, natural language processing, and/or advanced statistical methods for Bayesian or causal analysis
• Familiarity with user centered design principles for the collaborative development of information products to serve the needs of non-academic stakeholders
• Familiarity with project management and agile development
• Ability to effectively work in and contribute to leadership of fast paced, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and multi-site teams

Work Locations

Applicants are expected to work on premise at the IRIS offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which are in the Institute for Social Research on the University of Michigan campus. Occasional travel to attend research group meetings or conferences may be required. Virtual work will be required (or allowed) in accordance with state, local and university policies.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Institute for Social Research, (ISR), job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is closed or filled.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

271985

Research Science Lead

Research Area Specialist Lead

Ann Arbor Campus

Hybrid

Full-Time

Regular

Exempt

Inst Soc Research

SRC-Innovation,Netwrks&Knwldge

12/15/2025 - 1/04/2026

$125,000.00 - $140,000.00

Research