Senior Research Analyst
Application Procedure:
Job Duties
The Senior Research Analyst serves as a technical expert supporting Institutional Research & University Reporting by designing, developing, managing, and implementing research and analytical projects that inform institutional planning, effectiveness, accreditation, and compliance. The position is responsible for conducting complex analyses, building dashboards, managing institutional datasets, and ensuring the timely submission of reports to internal and external stakeholders.
In addition to reports and dashboards for campus use, the incumbent also contributes to the preparation and dissemination of research findings for professional presentations, conferences, and other scholarly or system-wide venues, representing Sacramento State as a subject matter expert ensuring research efforts are visible and aligned with CSU and national best practices.
This role contributes to advancing a culture of evidence-based decision-making by producing strategic data-informed insights, promoting data literacy, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across campus.
In addition to reports and dashboards for campus use, the incumbent also contributes to the preparation and dissemination of research findings for professional presentations, conferences, and other scholarly or system-wide venues, representing Sacramento State as a subject matter expert ensuring research efforts are visible and aligned with CSU and national best practices.
This role contributes to advancing a culture of evidence-based decision-making by producing strategic data-informed insights, promoting data literacy, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across campus.
Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and five years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and implementing research and analytical projects of significant scope and complexity.
- Demonstrated experience generating and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, including statistical and data science skills.
- Demonstrated experience in institutional research, assessment and/or data analytics/business intelligence offices
- Experience with compliance and accreditation-related reporting (e.g., ERS, IPEDS, CSU, or equivalent).
- Ability to design and apply predictive, inferential, and scenario modeling techniques to support decision-making, enrollment planning, program evaluation, and institutional effectiveness.
- Proficiency in data visualization and dashboard development (e.g., Tableau, QuickSight, Cognos).
- Experience with database management and query tools (e.g., SQL, PeopleSoft, Campus Data Warehouse).
- Proficiency with statistical software (SPSS, SAS, Stata, and/or R) and ability to apply descriptive and inferential methods (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, regression).
- Knowledge of survey and evaluation research methods and ability to design, administer, and analyze surveys to assess institutional and program effectiveness.
- Expert written and oral communication skills, including ability to present findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to document research and analysis processes for replication, troubleshooting, and continuity.
- Collaborative approach to projects; ability to provide cross-training and promote data literacy among colleagues and stakeholders.
- Strong judgment, critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in data practices.
Condition of Employment
- Ability to complete the background check process
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in social science, education, public policy, statistics, data science/data analytics, or a related field.
- Five or more years of professional experience in higher education research, data analysis, or institutional effectiveness.
- Experience managing complex datasets and automating tasks through programming/scripting.
- Experience supporting accreditation processes, compliance, and mandated reporting.
- Knowledge of enrollment management analytics, scheduling, and course demand modeling.
- Strong project management skills including planning, scheduling, and coordination.
Institution Description
Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State proudly serves as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and is recognized by the California Legislative Assembly as a Black-Serving Institution. The university enrolls around 31,000 students from the Greater Sacramento Region, throughout California, across the nation, and around the world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission:
“As California’s capital university, we transform lives by preparing students to lead, serve, and succeed. Sacramento State will be a welcoming, caring, and inclusive leader in education, innovation, and engagement.” As the regional hub of higher education, Sacramento State is dedicated to learning and student success; teaching, research, scholarship and creative activity; justice, diversity, equity and inclusion; resource development and sustainability; dedicated community engagement, and wellness and safety.
As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued. Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning.
To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.
Benefits
Application Due Date: 2026-02-15
Job Start Date: 2026-03-01
Salary: $99072 - $111564
City: Sacramento
State/Province/Region: CA
Institution: California State University, Sacramento
Reports To: Director of Institutional Research & University Reporting
Staff # Reporting to Position: 0
Reports In Office: Institutional Research & University Reporting
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