What are the responsibilities and job description for the Institutional Research Associate II position at Syracuse University?
Job Description
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness at Syracuse University seeks an Institutional Research Associate II to join a highly collaborative team supporting data-informed decision-making across the University. As part of an integrated office that brings together institutional research, assessment, and strategic analytics, this role contributes to the development and implementation of research that informs strategic action by the University and its component units. The Research Associate II will develop data collection protocols, analyze newly collected and existing data, and communicate findings to provide actionable insights on institutional priorities for administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
Education and Experience
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness at Syracuse University seeks an Institutional Research Associate II to join a highly collaborative team supporting data-informed decision-making across the University. As part of an integrated office that brings together institutional research, assessment, and strategic analytics, this role contributes to the development and implementation of research that informs strategic action by the University and its component units. The Research Associate II will develop data collection protocols, analyze newly collected and existing data, and communicate findings to provide actionable insights on institutional priorities for administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a social or behavioral science field (e.g., Psychology, Sociology, Education) is strongly desired. Postgraduate study is preferred.
- 5 years of experience in social or behavioral science research is required.
- 3 of these years in institutional research in a university setting is strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (e.g., means, distributions, t-tests, regression) is required.
- Experience with qualitative research and analysis is a plus.
- Proficiency in merging data across disparate sources (e.g., institutional records, surveys, external agencies) is required.
- Proficiency in a statistical programming language for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization, with the ability to write clean, reproducible code, is required. Experience with R is preferred.
- Ability to communicate research findings to non-technical audiences is required.
- Experience with dashboarding software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is strongly preferred.
- Experience with survey design and administration is strongly preferred.
- Experience querying relational databases is preferred.
- Experience with or openness to leveraging AI tools (e.g., Claude, Chat GPT) to streamline workflows and enhance productivity is preferred.
- Work with senior staff to support stakeholders across Syracuse University in identifying research needs, defining research questions, and developing quantitative and qualitative methodologies that advance institutional priorities.
- Lead small- and medium-sized research projects, managing multiple short- and long-term projects concurrently.
- Collaborate with other members of the Research Team to execute research projects, including surveys of students, faculty, and staff, and analysis of institutional records.
- Clean, structure, and analyze data to identify trends and generate actionable insights.
- Leverage University-approved AI tools to optimize workflow.
- Build and analyze datasets to fulfill ad hoc requests and support larger research projects, including merging data across multiple sources such as institutional records, surveys, and external agencies.
- Communicate research findings to non-technical audiences through written reports, presentations, data visualizations, and dashboards.
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.