The Surveys of Consumers measure consumer expectations to capture the impact of the expectations of consumers on their spending and saving behavior. The consumer expectation index is a component of the Index of Leading Economic Indicators due to its ability to predict future changes in the economy. The data are widely used by government agencies, financial institutions, business firms, and scholars, as well as by ordinary citizens. The longstanding research program conducts monthly surveys of economic expectations and behaviors of American households and how changes in their expectations influence the course of the macro economy. Market-moving economic data on consumer confidence and other measures are released twice a month to the public, market participants, and policymakers. The surveys also include data on other related topics from sponsors within and outside the University. This project is located in the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR).

Seeking a student for Summer 2026 and the 2026-2027 academic year to provide clerical and research support. Students in this role will be responsible for data entry, proofreading reports, testing survey instruments, preparing monthly survey materials, and providing professional communications with survey respondents via telephone and email. Students may occasionally assist primary research staff with project-specific needs including literature review, scanning/digitizing documents, etc. Minimum one-year commitment (includes SP/SU2026, FA26, and WN26) with the option to continue working for subsequent semesters based on performance and mutual interest. Students must be available to work a minimum of 15 hours/week between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday during the summer. Applicants must be currently enrolled as a student for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year.

How to apply: A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should specifically address why you are interested in this position, describe specific skills and experiences in your history, and directly relate them to the responsibilities of, and qualification for this position. If interested, please include both resume and cover letter in your application through the student employment website. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and posting will be closed when filled.

• Available to work a minimum of 15 hours per week between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

• Available to start in May 2026 or sooner, and can commit to a consistent schedule throughout the 2026-2027 academic year

• Demonstrated ability with standard office productivity software, including Word and Excel

• Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational and problem-solving skills, and can work on multiple projects simultaneously in a team environment

• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

• Prior experience with data entry, proofreading, or statistical analysis software is a plus