Entry Level Social Science Research Analyst Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Duke University:
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.
Research Analyst II (Data Steward)
Department: Transdisciplinary Environments Group, Duke University
Be You.
At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Research Analyst II (Data Steward), you will play a key role in an innovative interdisciplinary research collaborative supporting Indigenous communities across the Western Great Lakes region.
The STRONG Manoomin Collective brings together Tribal Nations, conservation organizations, researchers, artists, educators, and technology experts to advance community-driven science, Indigenous data sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and disaster resilience. Centered on Manoomin (wild rice), a culturally significant Ojibwe food and a critical indicator species for Great Lakes wetland ecosystems, the Collective develops scientific, cyber, and community-based solutions that support long-term sustainability for future generations.
In this role, you will serve as the primary steward of research data, support development of the Noondawind data platform, collaborate with diverse partners, and help transform complex information into meaningful insights that strengthen community decision-making and research outcomes.
This position works closely with the Transdisciplinary Environments Group under the leadership of Dr. Kimberly Marion Suiseeya and reports to Noelle Wyman Roth, Research Manager.
Be Bold.
As a Research Analyst II (Data Steward), you will help advance the Collective's mission through data stewardship, interdisciplinary research support, platform development, and collaborative engagement with Tribal, academic, nonprofit, and government partners.
What You'll Do
Develop and Maintain Research Data Infrastructure (50%)

• Support design, development, and implementation of community-driven research initiatives in collaboration with Tribal Nations and project partners.
• Partner with collaborators to define research goals, timelines, deliverables, and data requirements.
• Serve as the primary coordinator and steward of project data resources.
• Gather and translate research and data management requirements from internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in meetings, community engagement activities, workshops, presentations, listening sessions, and partner events.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, students, and community partners to develop innovative research solutions and data products.
• Support ongoing enhancement, maintenance, and development of the Noondawind web-based research platform.
• Administer Microsoft Azure resources supporting research infrastructure.
• Manage ArcGIS and geospatial technology resources.
• Maintain platform code repositories and technical documentation.

Analyze, Visualize, and Communicate Research Data (25%)

• Manage, integrate, clean, and analyze quantitative, qualitative, geospatial, environmental, and multi-modal datasets.
• Conduct statistical analyses, geospatial analyses, textual analyses, dashboard creation, and data visualization.
• Develop reports, dashboards, maps, charts, figures, and data products using established analytical methods.
• Collaborate with researchers, artists, designers, technical specialists, and community partners to support integrated project outcomes.
• Prepare visualizations and communication materials for presentations, publications, meetings, and community dissemination activities.

Support Research Administration and Project Operations (25%)

• Support project management, research administration, metadata development, and research documentation efforts.
• Assist with Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols and compliance activities.
• Maintain documentation including workflows, data inventories, technical manuals, publications, presentations, and project records.
• Contribute to the development and review of data governance policies, data-sharing agreements, Indigenous data sovereignty practices, authorship guidelines, and reporting procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to research, data science, information management, environmental science, social science, geography, computer science, or a related field.
Master's degree strongly preferred.
Experience
Four years of related experience in research analysis, data analysis, data management, or a related field.
OR
An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Successful candidates will demonstrate experience in several of the following areas:
Research and Data Management

• Research data management and documentation
• IRB protocols and compliance
• Data mining and resource evaluation
• Database design and data structures
• Metadata development and management
• Functional and technical documentation
• Management of multi-modal datasets including survey, sensor, geospatial, image, audio, and environmental data
• FAIR data principles and data stewardship practices

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Azure cloud services
• ArcGIS or other geospatial analysis software
• GitHub, GitLab, or version control systems
• SQL and/or NoSQL databases
• Web-based research applications
• Dashboard development and data visualization platforms
• Web design and human-computer interaction principles
• Statistical programming languages such as R, Python, SQL, and NoSQL
• Scripting languages such as Python, JavaScript, or similar technologies
• Cloud-based research cyberinfrastructure

Collaboration and Communication

• Community-engaged and interdisciplinary research
• Indigenous data governance and collaborative research partnerships
• Building relationships with Tribal Nations, academic researchers, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies
• Translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Managing complex workflows involving multiple projects and data sources

Advanced Capabilities

• Integrating and analyzing diverse, multi-modal datasets
• Supporting collaborative research data platforms
• Creating compelling data stories, dashboards, reports, and visualizations
• Bridging technical, scientific, and community perspectives within interdisciplinary teams

Work Location
Primary work location is at Duke University.
This position requires travel throughout the Western Great Lakes region to Tribal communities, partner organizations, conferences, workshops, field sites, and community meetings.
Position Term
This is a one-year term position from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Continuation beyond the initial term is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.
Why Duke?
At Duke University, you'll join a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, and professionals dedicated to addressing society's most complex challenges. You'll have the opportunity to work at the intersection of environmental science, technology, Indigenous knowledge systems, and community-engaged research while contributing to innovative solutions that support future generations.
Choose Duke.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join the STRONG Manoomin Collective and help build innovative data, technology, and research solutions that strengthen environmental stewardship, community resilience, and Indigenous-led sustainability efforts across the Great Lakes region.
Apply today and help create a stronger, smarter, and more connected future.
Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,026.00 to USD $98,439.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).