Principal Statistician Survey Methodology & Sampling

Job description

Global Principal Statistician Survey Methodology & Sampling

Location: Bangalore (Hybrid: 3 days office / 2 days remote)

Contact: S. Krishnan | +91 8309618146

Role Purpose

This is a principal-level statistics role focused on the design, integrity, and representativeness of survey data. The position owns the statistical foundations of large-scale, multi-country surveys—ensuring that how data is collected, sampled, and weighted meets the highest methodological standards.

The role is not about advanced modeling after the data exists, but about classical statistics applied at scale: sampling frames, probability design, weighting, and validation. The output of this work directly shapes globally comparable data used in public discourse, policy discussions, and social research.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and design statistically representative sampling strategies for face-to-face, phone, and web-based surveys
• Develop, validate, and maintain sampling frames across diverse countries and population contexts
• Lead survey weighting methodologies, including non-response adjustment and post-stratification
• Establish and enforce QA/QC standards for sampling and weighting execution across projects
• Monitor sample implementation during fieldwork and resolve methodological risks in real time
• Provide statistical leadership for probability-based panels, particularly in emerging markets
• Use R or Python to validate samples, compute weights, and perform descriptive survey analysis
• Author and clearly document statistical methodologies, assumptions, and design decisions
• Advise internal stakeholders on best practices in survey statistics and research design
• Mentor and supervise a small India-based statistics team, building long-term capability

Required Background

• Master's degree in Statistics or a closely related field (PhD preferred)
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in survey statistics, sampling, and weighting
• Strong grounding in classical statistical theory applied to questionnaire-based research
• Experience with government surveys, NGOs, international organizations, academia, or market research
• Proficiency in R or Python for survey statistics and validation workflows
• Ability to work from the Bangalore office at least three days per week
• Authorization to work in India

What This Role Is Not

• Not biostatistics or clinical research
• Not business analytics or BI reporting
• Not data science, machine learning, or predictive modeling

This role is ideal for statisticians who care deeply about how data is created, who value methodological rigor, and who want their statistical decisions to influence real-world understanding at a global scale.

Why This Role Is Unique

• Principal-level statistical authority, not a support role
• Global exposure while being based in India
• Clear ownership of sampling, weighting, and representativeness
• Compensation positioned at the top end of the market for senior survey statisticians