Institutional Research & Assessment Specialist – Institutional Effectiveness and Planning – Office of the Provost

Building on a Carnegie Mellon culture dedicated to continual innovation and renewal, the Office of the Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning will lead CMU further into an era of data-informed self-evaluation in support of the university's mission and strategic goals. The office plays a critical role in leading, championing and facilitating data-driven decision-making at CMU, including data governance and integrity and provides strategic guidance for planning, evaluation, data analysis and research methodologies that support key initiatives and stakeholders across the university.

The Institutional Research & Assessment Specialist will support the university’s institutional research and assessment activities, with a particular focus on survey research, program evaluation, and applied data analysis. This role brings together assessment design, implementation, and reporting and visualization, contributing to evidence-based decision-making across academic and administrative units.

This position collaborates with partners across the provost division, colleges, human resources, student affairs, and other university units. The successful candidate will combine strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Core responsibilities include:

Survey Research

• Distribute surveys, manage contact lists, monitor results, and create reports for university partners.  
• Assist with gathering requirements for new surveys and revisions of existing surveys.
• Assist with communicating survey results and summarizing survey results into data stories and action items.
• Utilize AI-supported tools, as appropriate, to assist in analyzing survey data, identifying patterns, and enhancing efficiency while maintaining data integrity, privacy, and methodological rigor.

Qualitative Research

• Assist in planning and facilitating focus groups and interviews, including developing protocols and guiding questions.
• Coordinate logistics such as participant recruitment, scheduling, and session preparation.
• Support qualitative data collection, including notetaking, transcription, and data organization.
• Assist with coding and analyzing qualitative data to identify themes and key insights.
• Utilize AI-supported tools, as appropriate, to assist in organizing, coding, and identifying themes in qualitative data, while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and thoughtful interpretation of findings.
• Contribute to summarizing findings and translating qualitative insights into clear, actionable recommendations for university partners.

Data Visualization & Communication

• Develop dashboards and reports in Power BI that translate assessment data into actionable insights.
• Contribute to the development of data stories that highlight key findings and recommendations.
• Assist with maintaining and updating existing dashboards and reports.

Collaboration & Support

• Collaborate with institutional research staff and campus partners to clarify assessment goals, translate stakeholder needs into meaningful research questions, and develop areas of inquiry that guide data collection and analysis.
• Provide basic guidance to campus partners on survey design, data interpretation, and assessment practices.
• Ensure adherence to data governance, privacy, and ethical standards (e.g., FERPA compliance).
• Identify data issues or process improvements and recommend solutions.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

You should demonstrate:

• Ability to translate and communicate data through clear, accessible data stories and visualizations tailored to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work with sensitive information, maintain confidentiality and use discretion.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail; keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records.
• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Openness and willingness to learn new technologies to better perform job functions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
• 0-2 years of related work experience.
• Experience with survey tools (e.g., Qualtrics) and data analysis software (e.g., R, Python, SPSS, SAS, or similar).
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI).
• Experience utilizing common generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, NotbeookLM, Microsoft CoPilot, Claude, etc.) required.
• Strong quantitative and/or qualitative analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate data into clear insights.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines with attention to detail.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:

• Successful pre-employment background check

Additional Information:

• Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.  Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon
• This is a fixed-term position, expected duration of six-months

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Data Analysis

Position Type

Staff – Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Hourly

More Information: