German-speaking Digital Methods Consultant

We are seeking a Digital Methods Consultant to lead the digital research and survey components of two parallel research projects, each under its own consultancy contract with its own timeframe and volume. Working alongside the qualitative analysts, the consultant will pull and prepare public social media data, run quantitative analyses, and design and oversee representative surveys.

Project 1 - Information manipulation targeting Germany's economic interests (German Federal Foreign Office). A 14-month project examining manipulated narratives about Germany - as an economy, employer, trading partner, and destination for skilled labour - circulating in Brazil, India, and South Africa, combining digital ethnography with representative surveys (~1,000 respondents per country).

Estimated volume of work for Project 1: an average of 50-60 days over the project timeframe, starting as soon as possible until 30 June 2027.

Project 2 - Climate disinformation and its impact on public discourse in Austria (BMLUK). A study mapping the climate-disinformation ecosystem across X, Facebook, Telegram, and Reddit - identifying key actors and narratives and tracing their move from fringe to mainstream - paired with a representative online survey (CAWI) of ~1,000 Austrians measuring how exposure shapes attitudes to climate policy.

Estimated volume of work for Project 2: approximately 1.5-2 days per month (around 15-25 days in total), from July 2026 to March 2027, subject to confirmation of the project start date., Digital research & data collection (35%)

• Collect public social media data via platform research APIs and other tools, and troubleshoot platform-specific access constraints.
• Operationalise the narrative salience and relative traction frameworks, ensuring measurement is consistent and defensible across contexts.
• Run quantitative analyses of spread, engagement, and cross-platform diffusion; contribute to actor and narrative mapping.
• Maintain keyword lists, actor lists, and codebooks, documented for reproducibility and audit.

Survey design, fielding & analysis (45%)

• Translate qualitative findings into structured survey instruments, retaining a common core for cross-country comparability (Project 1) and supporting German-language instruments (Project 2).
• Specify sampling, weighting, translation, and cognitive pre-testing requirements, and develop quality-assurance protocols for fielding.
• Manage local survey partners, including tendering and contracting support (Project 1).
• Lead analysis of weighted survey data, including subgroup analysis and basic inferential statistics, and ensure data handling complies with applicable data-protection and ethical standards.

Triangulation, reporting & stakeholder support (20%)

• Triangulate survey findings with qualitative evidence to produce policy-relevant insights.
• Contribute methodological and analytical sections to each project's core deliverables.
• Support validation/roundtable sessions with stakeholders, presenting methods and findings accessibly.
• Flag methodological risks to the project lead and contribute to adaptive course-correction.

Do you have experience in Research?, Do you have a Bachelor's degree?, The ideal candidates will combine methodological rigour in digital research methods with hands-on experience in survey design, fielding, and analysis, and will have strong proficiency in German to work effectively in this role.

ISD is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding elections, freedom, national security, public safety and individual rights by reversing the rising global tide of polarisation, extremism, foreign interference and authoritarianism. Combining research and analysis with government advisory work and the design and delivery of training, education and communications programs, ISD works to implement real-world, evidence-based responses to these challenges. Why work for ISD? ISD is not your ordinary think tank. We turn research into action that changes the world. Our insights don't gather dust on shelves - they power the fight to protect democracy and human rights on the front lines. We're committed to delivering real change, from the grassroots to the highest levels of global institutions. And we're looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to making a difference. Join us and be part of an organisation that's making an impact. ISD's Guiding Principles of integrity, collaboration, agility and courage define who we are as a team and an organisation. These principles reflect our culture and guide the way we work and the choices we make.