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The Summer Fellowship at the Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation at the University of Minnesota is designed to help recruit undergraduate and graduate students to work with Minnesota Population Center or Life Course Center member faculty and staff on demographic research projects or IPUMS data infrastructure projects. 

Projects with openings include: 

  • Developing AI for Multicultural Cancer Education (Dr. David Haynes)
  • International Health in Context (Dr. Tracy Kugler & Dr. Kathryn Grace)
  • Building a Homeless Mortality Predictor Database (Dr. Katie Berry and David Van Riper)
  • Building and Assessing 2020 Census Data for Optimized Block Groups (Dr. Jonathan Schroeder and Dr. Steve Manson)

We provide more details about the projects at https://isrdi.umn.edu/summer-2026-projects

DATES

  • Graduate Fellows: May 25, 2026 - August 30, 2026
  • Undergraduate Fellows:  June 1, 2026 - August 21, 2026

RESPONSIBILITIES 


Fellows will work extensively with data of various types, including historical census and survey data from the U.S. as well as spatial data. They may interpret, edit, and format technical documentation. They also may analyze data in statistical packages and record the findings systematically. Some fellows help to prepare data for distribution through IPUMS’ data dissemination websites. Fellows are expected to carry out a variety of other tasks including data preparation, data dissemination, and data analysis. Fellows will be expected to be trained in new software and techniques as necessary, perform work in a timely manner while being attentive to details, and show initiative in solving problems.
 

Fellows will report to and be mentored by research scientists, senior data analysts, faculty, software developers, or other professional staff working on the assigned project. They may collaborate with principal investigators, other research assistants, post-doctoral associates, and other Institute staff. Graduate fellows will be asked to be a peer mentor to an undergraduate fellows team member.


The 2026 program will be run in a hybrid format with a requirement for in-person participation in Weekly Cohort meetings and professional development workshops. Project mentors will determine the schedule requirements for their projects.


Pay:  Undergraduate Fellows: $16.51/hr— 12 weeks, 20 hours per week

         Graduate Fellows: $28.97/hr— 14 weeks, 20 hours per week

 

Work Location: This fellowship is available for hybrid or fully on-site work arrangements only, with a requirement for in-person participation in cohort meetings and workshops. ISRDI is located at 50 Willey Hall in Minneapolis, MN. 

Qualifications

 Eligibility Requirements:   

  •  Students must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
    • ISRDI works with students from many disciplines across campus and has previously admitted students from other Universities.
  • Students must be authorized to work in the US
  • Students must be able to work on-site during the fellowship on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
    • The program does not provide any funds for relocation or living expenses.
       

Required Qualifications:
The qualifications below are needed for all projects.: 

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Excellent computer skills and ability to work in a technical environment
  • Excellent  interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated reliability and attention to detail
  • Ability to act independently and as part of a diverse team 
  • Must be willing to embrace new technologies and skills
  • Demonstrated commitment to community engagement and ability to attend in-person weekly cohort meetings at Willey Hall


Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Knowledge of a major statistical package (Stata, SAS, R, or SPSS)
  • Experience analyzing census or survey microdata
  • Experience with HTML and XML metadata, and/or use and knowledge of ArcGIS or other GIS software packages
  • We are especially eager to recruit students who are interested in learning new skills and who could use MPC or LCC resources and/or IPUMS data in their own research.

About the Department

 

The Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation (ISRDI) is an interdisciplinary research institute that provides the infrastructure and services to support the work of its four centers: IPUMS, the Minnesota Population Center, the Life Course Center, and the Minnesota Research Data Center. The work of the Institute and its centers advances our knowledge of societies and populations across time and space, including economic and demographic behavior, health, well-being, and human-environment interactions.

At ISRDI, we believe that the creation of a diverse and inclusive community is central to maintaining the excellence of all of our projects. Our definition of diversity extends beyond race and gender and includes socioeconomic status, religion, gender identity and expression, and more. As a center, we aspire to represent the diversity of our city, our region, and our world and to create a space that encourages and embraces inclusiveness, equal opportunity, and respect.

The Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation is an interdisciplinary research institute that provides the infrastructure and services to support the work of its four centers: IPUMS, the Minnesota Population Center, the Life Course Center, and the Minnesota Research Data Center. The work of the Institute and its centers advances our knowledge of societies and populations across time and space, including economic and demographic behavior, health, well-being, and human-environment interactions.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: 

  • Undergraduate Fellows: $16.51/hr— 12 weeks, 20 hours per week
  • Graduate Fellows: $28.97/hr— 14 weeks, 20 hours per week; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Office of Student Health Benefits website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
 

Student workers are eligible to participate in the Student Health Benefit Plan, if they maintain 6 or more eligible course credits within a given semester. The same applies for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Assistants, Residents, Fellows and Interns.

How To Apply

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2026

Applicants must apply online using the University of Minnesota’s application system. Please read the following instructions carefully: 

  • When completing our online application, please answer the questions below and upload your resume and your responses to the questions in a separate attachment. 
  • You may make a copy or download this google doc with the questions below to ensure your application is complete. 
  • You MUST attach both documents to be considered for this position. We will begin reviewing applications immediately. Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.


APPLICATION QUESTIONS
 

  1. How did you learn about the summer fellowship program?
     
  2. In-person participation is required for this fellowship, including weekly cohort meetings at 50 Willey Hall in Minneapolis from May/June to August. Please confirm you can meet this requirement. If you are located outside of MN and selected for this fellowship, please keep in mind that the program does not provide relocation assistance or a housing stipend. 
     
  3. Please specify the project you are applying for and explain why you are interested in the (250 words max). You are required to select at least one project, and you may apply for multiple projects. If you choose to apply for multiple projects, please provide reasoning for each project. You may use up to 250 words to describe your interest in each project. 
     
  4. Describe how you meet the required and, if applicable, the preferred qualifications for the project(s) you are applying for.
     
  5. How have your identities and lived experiences influenced your academic interests? What challenges and growth opportunities unique to your identities and experiences do you anticipate throughout your career in your chosen field? 

    When answering the above question, consider your identities and lived experiences, which might include (but is not limited to) cultural, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, first-generation college student, military status, or other perspectives or viewpoints. (350 words maximum)
     
  6. Community building is an important component of the summer fellowship. Summer Fellows will attend weekly cohort meetings, professional development events featuring experts in their fields, and various networking events, all with their cohort. How have you engaged in your various communities? What role has your community engagement played in your academic career thus far? (350 words maximum)

 

Questions concerning the application process, including requests for accommodation, may be addressed to Alex Lunde, HR & Operations Manager, at isrdi-jobs@umn.edu