Location: Albany, NY Category: Student Assistant Positions Job Type: Part-time Temporary Posted On: Wed Aug 19 2026 Job Description:
The Office of Institutional Research and Data Analytics (OIRDA) is seeking a Student Assistant to support SUNY's Survey Administration and Data Visualization team. This team leads the development and administration of SUNY-wide surveys and the creation of interactive dashboards that support data-informed decision-making across the SUNY System.
The Student Assistant will gain hands-on experience in data management, quantitative analysis, data visualization, and reporting. Working closely with experienced institutional research professionals, the Student Assistant will contribute to projects that support student success, workforce development, academic planning, and other strategic SUNY initiatives. This position provides valuable practical experience for students interested in research, analytics, public policy, higher education, statistics, data science, and related fields.
Students will gain:
Hands-on experience with data analytics and dashboard development.
Exposure to SUNY-wide research, reporting, and data visualization initiatives.
Opportunities to strengthen analytical, technical, and communication skills.
Mentorship from experienced institutional research and data analytics professionals.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Data Visualization and Dashboard Development:
Assist in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of interactive dashboards and reports, including redesigning the Fast Facts dashboards to meet current style standards.
Create visualizations using tools such as Tableau and Power BI under the guidance of OIRDA staff.
Support dashboard quality assurance efforts by validating calculations, metrics, filters, and visual outputs.
Document dashboard requirements, business rules, and data definitions.
Contribute ideas for improving dashboard usability, accessibility, and data storytelling.
General Research Support:
Assist with special research projects and ad hoc data requests.
Perform data validation and quality assurance activities.
Participate in team meetings and professional development opportunities.
Support other institutional research and data analytics initiatives as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
Currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at a SUNY institution.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Demonstrated interest in research, data analysis, or data visualization.
Preferred Qualifications:
Coursework in education, market research, statistics, economics, public policy, sociology, geography, information science, data analytics, business analytics, computer science, or a related field.
Experience with dashboard and data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
Experience working with large datasets.
Experience with data analysis tools such as R, Python, SAS, SQL, SPSS, or Stata.
Interest in higher education research, institutional research, assessment, program evaluation, or applied analytics.
Additional Information:
The assistantship is for the Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. This position is for up to 20 hours a week between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The rate of pay is $18 per hour for master's students/$20 per hour for doctoral students.
