Research Scientist, Demography and Survey Sciences

The Demography and Survey Science team's mission is to improve the way we make decisions and measure impact both within and outside of Meta. We collect and analyze rich survey and behavioral datasets to understand new challenges, solve problems, and shape decisions. We are looking for quantitative social scientists with experience answering complex research questions to join us in this effort.

Our interdisciplinary team includes those with expertise in statistical inference, survey methodology, causal inference and econometrics, regression modeling, exploratory data analysis, and mathematical demography, among other areas. In this role, you’ll own research end-to-end. This means you’ll navigate trade-offs while designing projects, proposing appropriate methodologies, analyzing data, and communicating results to broad audiences in order to drive impactful decisions.

Strong candidates may include social scientists, applied statisticians, or other applied researchers with expertise in quantitative research methods, experience working with large datasets and relational databases, and experience with survey methodology (e.g., bias correction, sampling). We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate methodological rigor, strong communication skills, and the ability to make research design choices that balance competing tradeoffs effectively.Research Scientist, Demography and Survey Sciences Responsibilities

• Develop a research agenda and drive research projects from end-to-end
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across the company to define relevant research questions
• Design and deploy appropriate research methodologies to answer those questions
• Develop innovate new approaches to resolve challenging problems
• Provide teams with usable measurement strategies and methodologies to make better decisions
• Deliver insights and recommendations clearly to relevant audiences

Minimum Qualifications

• 2+ years of post-graduation working experience
• Master’s or Ph.D. in the social sciences (e.g., Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Communication), or in a quantitative field (e.g., Statistics, Informatics, Econometrics) with experience answering social questions
• Knowledge in data manipulation and analysis software and programming languages (R/Stata, SQL/Hive)
• Knowledge in quantitative and survey research methodologies (e.g., bias correction for surveys, survey sampling and design, regression modeling, causal inference with a survey outcome, shrinkage and regularization, designing and analyzing longitudinal panel surveys, behavioral data analysis)
• Skilled in at least three or more of the following skills: statistical inference, survey methodology, regression modeling, exploratory data analysis, and experimental design
• Experience communicating analyses and results to broad audiences
• Experience initiating and driving research projects to completion with minimal guidance
• Demonstrated experience in designing original research to address complex questions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large data sets and distributed computing (Hive/Hadoop)
• Experience with Bayesian statistical models
• Experience with primary data collection
• Experience with survey sampling and weighting
• Experience with observational causal inference (e.g., regression adjustment, matching, propensity score stratification), or quasi-experimental methods (e.g., instrumental variables, regression discontinuity, interrupted time series)
• Familiarity with qualitative research (e.g., focus groups, interviews, cognitive walkthroughs)

For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information. About Meta Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.