Institutional Research Data Specialist

About the role

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary

This entry-level position supports the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment by assisting with routine data collection, reporting, survey administration, and data requests. The position works under the direction of the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment and in collaboration with other office staff. Responsibilities emphasize accurate data preparation, adherence to established reporting processes, and developing technical and analytical skills, rather than independent ownership of complex research or reporting projects.

About the role

Data Requests and Reporting Support

• Assist with routine data requests from university departments by retrieving, organizing, validating, and summarizing institutional data using established procedures and templates.
• Escalate complex or sensitive requests to senior staff or the Director.

Survey Administration Support

• Assist with setting up, distributing, monitoring, and reporting on institutional surveys, including alumni surveys, the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the Graduating Student Exit Survey, and other campus-wide surveys.
• Support basic data cleaning and preparation of survey summaries.

Recurring and External Reporting

• Assist with preparing and quality-reviewing semester, annual, and recurring reports.
• Update established reports and tables using documented processes and verify data for completeness and consistency.

Data Quality and Documentation

• Perform routine data validation and quality checks.
• Maintain documentation of report definitions, data sources, procedures, and recurring office processes.

Website and Information Support

• Assist with updating the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment website and published reports to ensure stakeholders have access to current information.

Tools and Reporting Systems

• Use SQL Developer to run, modify, and develop basic queries, with guidance as needed.
• Assist with maintaining and running established Cognos Analytics and Workday reports.
• Use Excel or similar tools to clean, organize, validate, summarize, and present data.

Other Duties

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the goals and operations of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment.

Minimal Qualifications

• Twenty-four (24) semester hours of college credit for course work in computer science, mathematics, or a related field, with specialization in operations research and/or mathematical modeling, and including twelve (12) semester hours of credit in mathematical modeling and/or mathematical programming

Departmental Preferences

• Strong attention to detail.
• Basic quantitative and analytical skills.
• Interest in institutional research and higher education data.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel or similar data tools.
• Exposure to SQL, survey software, Tableau, Cognos, Workday, or other reporting tools (desirable but not required).
• Ability to follow established procedures and document work accurately.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle and protect confidential information.
• Willingness to learn and develop new technical skills through training and experience.

Schedule

• Monday - Friday
• Hybrid schedule: Three (3) days in-office and two (2) days remote per week.

Additional information

Location: NEIU Main Campus (5500 North St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL 60625). (Occasional travel to other NEIU campus locations may be required based on meeting schedules).

Setting: Hybrid, eligible for two (2) remote workdays per week.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of work visas.

This position requires a background check.

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit our Employee Benefits page to learn more about our comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.