Job Description Summary:
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) supports all sponsored research project activity and large portions of internal funding for research projects across the George Washington University’s schools and units. The Senior Data Analyst, Research reports to the Director of Operations and Projects within OVPR and is responsible for performing general analytics and statistical modeling on existing data sets in the area of university research activity.

Activities include: defining data requirements, data collection, processing, cleaning, analysis, modeling and visualization. Examines and identifies data patterns and trends to help answer business questions and improve decision making. Provides inputs for complex Data Science and Big Data Mining projects. Identifies areas to increase efficiency and automation of data analysis processes.

This position works to manage the integrity of research data and acts as OVPR’s data steward in defining data elements and data governance. Works closely with the university’s business intelligence and information technology teams to define visualization and data requirements based on user needs and understanding of applicable business systems and industry requirements.

Designs and builds reusable queries, identifies data patterns and trends, reviews and analyzes results, and devises or modifies procedures to solve complex problems. Responds to ad hoc data requests and to surveys conducted by external agencies. Performs data imports, extraction, database maintenance and reporting, and also guides and advises decision making by OVPR leadership.

Specific responsibilities include:

Data Analysis and Reporting: Acts as a key member of the OVPR central operations team to create, integrate and manage multiple data sets across all divisions within OVPR. Understands research data needs from multiple stakeholders and advises OVPR and IT on how to best move forward. This will include routine data imports, extractions and integration of data from both university Data Warehouse and multiple other sources, timely analysis and interpretation of complex data in order to make findings relevant and actionable for both internal and external stakeholders use. Provides actionable insights into the data trends; devises or modifies procedures to solve complex problems; and supports managerial workload decision making. Guides and advises others regarding research data.

Data Visualization: Primarily using Tableau, Excel, and PowerBI, develops and enhances graphical representations of research trends and internal metrics that display research data in a meaningful and easy to comprehend manner. Works closely with GW’s Information Technology and Business Intelligence Services to provide requirements and prioritization for enhancements to research dashboards, including the PI Dashboard. Tests and provides input when enhancements are completed.

Data Governance: Works as an integral part of the university’s information technology team on data governance processes to verify data quality and ensure accurate analysis and reporting, and assist in all phases of agile scrum-based project development; roles-based access, and assessment and implementation of ERP systems. Continuously assesses OVPR data needs and management reporting for areas of improvement.

Information Requests: Uses various data analytics tools to perform data extractions and report building to respond to information requests. Documents and understands user requirements, considers capacity and limitations of current systems, and responds in a consistent way that meets customer needs while maintaining data integrity. Develops queries and reports and makes recommendations for how to best display data for reporting and analysis purposes. Provides data support and analysis required for recurring inputs to external groups. Maintains historical comparisons of research activities. Investigates research trends for schools, departments and Principal Investigators (PIs). Makes recommendations for how to streamline reporting processes. Creates process documentation related to requests and responsibilities and provides training to others as applicable.

Systems Administration: Serves as subject matter expert for systems used by OVPR for managing research processes as it relates to data collection, data integration and data integrity. Understanding system interfaces and building necessary reports for data analysis. Gathers requirements to assist with system builds that allow for data collection and process workflow for various OVPR offices.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to understand data analysis logic and data system structure in order to correctly interpret complex data. Skills include ability to respond to fast-paced projects thoroughly and accurately, ability to translate business requests into technical analysis, and attention to detail.

Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Access, SQL, Excel, Tableau, Power BI. Knowledge of Visual Basic, Drupal, SharePoint, and/or Nintex preferred.