Senior Research Analyst

Senior Research Analyst

Job no: 554797

Work type: Staff

Location: Sacramento

Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Full Time, Information Systems & Technology, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

Working Title: Senior Research Analyst

Classification Title: Institutional Research Analyst IV

Posting Details

Priority Application Date (Posting will remain open until filled): February 15, 2026 @ 11:55pm PT

Hiring Preference

Eligible on-campus applicants in California State University Employees Union (CSUEU) Bargaining Units 2,5,7, and 9 will be given first consideration in the recruitment.

Position Summary

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 systemwide 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.

FLSA : Exempt (not eligible for overtime compensation)

Anticipated Hiring Range : $8,256 per month (Step 14) - $9,297 per month (Step 20)

CSU Classification Salary Range : $6,382 per month (Step 1) - $9,297 per month (Step 20)

Salary step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience.

Best-in-class Benefits : Click here to learn more

CSU Total Compensation : Click here to learn more

Salary Grade/Range : 1

Recruitment Type : Regular (Probationary)

Time Base : Full-Time

Pay Plan : 12 months


Work Hours : Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm; other hours as required.

Telecommuting Options :


Hybrid work flexibility is available, on an opt-in basis.

Please visit the following webpage for more information on the CSU Telecommuting Program:

Department Information


Who is IRT?

Information Resources & Technology (IRT) partners with faculty, staff, and students to provide essential information technology services that support mission critical activities and innovative technology solutions that facilitate the accomplishment of strategic campus goals at Sacramento State.

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

1. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
2. Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and implementing research and analytical projects of significant scope and complexity.
3. Demonstrated experience generating and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, including statistical and data science skills.
4. Demonstrated experience in institutional research, assessment and/or data analytics/business intelligence offices
5. Experience with compliance and accreditation-related reporting (e.g., ERS, IPEDS, CSU, or equivalent).
6. Ability to design and apply predictive, inferential, and scenario modeling techniques to support decision-making, enrollment planning, program evaluation, and institutional effectiveness.
7. Proficiency in data visualization and dashboard development (e.g., Tableau, QuickSight, Cognos).
8. Experience with database management and query tools (e.g., SQL, PeopleSoft, Campus Data Warehouse).
9. Proficiency with statistical software (SPSS, SAS, Stata, and/or R) and ability to apply descriptive and inferential methods (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, regression).
10. Knowledge of survey and evaluation research methods and ability to design, administer, and analyze surveys to assess institutional and program effectiveness.
11. Expert written and oral communication skills, including ability to present findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
12. Ability to document research and analysis processes for replication, troubleshooting, and continuity.
13. Collaborative approach to projects; ability to provide cross-training and promote data literacy among colleagues and stakeholders.
14. Strong judgment, critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills
15. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in data practices.

Condition of Employment

• Ability to complete the background check process

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree in social science, education, public policy, statistics, data science/data analytics, or a related field.
2. Five or more years of professional experience in higher education research, data analysis, or institutional effectiveness.
3. Experience managing complex datasets and automating tasks through programming/scripting.
4. Experience supporting accreditation processes, compliance, and mandated reporting.
5. Knowledge of enrollment management analytics, scheduling, and course demand modeling.
6. Strong project management skills including planning, scheduling, and coordination.

Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Failure to upload required documentation may result in disqualification.

About Sacramento State

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.

It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process, visit

The University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees, visit

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at .


The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

Background Check Disclaimer

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.

Out of State Employment

Sacramento State, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees (up)on date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Eligibility Verification

Candidate must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. California State University, Sacramento is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (ie. H-1-B Visa).

Note to Applicants:

Possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview unless required by collective bargaining agreement.

Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.

Advertised: Jan 29 2026 Pacific Standard Time

Applications close:


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