Senior Research Analyst

Job Summary

The Senior Research Analyst supports institutional decision-making by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to student enrollment, retention, graduation, faculty workload, academic programs, and other key institutional measures. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Research, this role conducts research on higher education trends and issues, develops data dashboards and visualizations, and provides actionable insights to institutional leaders and stakeholders.

The Senior Research Analyst collaborates with campus partners to identify research needs, design and conduct research projects, and perform statistical analyses using tools such as R. The position also supports institutional, state, and federal reporting requirements; accreditation efforts at the institution and program levels; and the preparation of reports and presentations for internal and external audiences. Additionally, the analyst contributes to the advancement of institutional research, planning, assessment, and effectiveness through professional presentations and publications while staying current with emerging trends and best practices in data analysis and higher education research.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expertise in quantitative data analysis, including descriptive and inferential statistics, multivariate analysis, and predictive modeling.


• Proficiency in statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, and R.


• Experience developing data visualizations and dashboards using tools such as Tableau and Power BI.


• Strong ability to translate complex data and technical findings into clear, concise, and actionable information for non-technical audiences.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.


• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects and priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as statistics, social sciences, or higher education research with a minimum of 2 years of experience in institutional research or a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Knowledge of higher education data systems, institutional research practices, and state and federal reporting requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

• Job Family – Data Analyst 2


• Market Range - 7 Salary Schedules


• For information on benefits, please visit Employee Benefits

Application Instructions and additional details

• Exempt positions are only required to be posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. The closing date for this posting is subject to change without notice to applicants.


• Employment is contingent on a satisfactory background check


• Applications must include a cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references

ETSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer

University Overview

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is an institution with over 14,000 diverse students highly ranked graduate and undergraduate programs. Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, ETSU serves as a hub for community, discovery, and service. Aligned with the institution's mission, we value efforts to engage in teaching, scholarship, creative activities, and service that involve community partners and address significant societal needs in our region and beyond. Recognized in 2024 as a Great College to Work For, recent strategic initiatives prioritize the institution’s focus on community engagement.

Disclaimer: The Job Summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work individuals perform in this classification. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise the job or require different tasks to be performed as assigned to reflect changes in the position. Employees must be able to perform the position's essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations