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Research Data Analyst Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Naughty Dog

Research Data Analyst

Santa Monica, CA

Naughty Dog is looking for a Research Data Analyst to join our User Research team and help us better understand how players engage with our games. In this role, you'll work closely with Sony Game ...

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Naughty Dog

Research Data Analyst

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$51.83 - $64.76/hr

Naughty Dog is looking for a Research Data Analyst to join our User Research team and help us better understand how players engage with our games. In this role, you'll work closely with Sony Game ...

Stanford University

Research Data Analyst 2

Stanford, CA · On-site

$108K - $128K/yr

The Center for Population Health Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine is seeking a Research Data Analyst 2 for data management and analysis work focused on population health. The ...

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Research Data Analyst information

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How much do research data analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for research data analyst in California is $72,996.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,300.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research data analyst?

A Research Data Analyst is a professional who collects, processes, and analyzes data to support research projects across various fields, such as healthcare, social sciences, or business. They use statistical tools and programming languages to interpret complex data sets and help researchers draw meaningful conclusions. Their responsibilities often include data cleaning, statistical analysis, and visualization of results for reports or publications. Research Data Analysts play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and integrity of the data used in research studies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research data analyst, and why are they important?

To excel as a Research Data Analyst, you need strong analytical skills, proficiency in statistics, and a relevant degree in fields such as mathematics, statistics, or computer science. Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS), data visualization tools (like Tableau or Power BI), and programming languages (such as Python) is typically required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and the ability to clearly communicate complex findings are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure accurate data interpretation, effective collaboration with research teams, and impactful decision-making based on reliable insights.

What are some common challenges research data analysts face when working with large datasets, and how are they addressed?

Research Data Analysts often encounter challenges such as data inconsistencies, missing values, and integrating data from multiple sources when working with large datasets. Addressing these challenges typically involves implementing rigorous data cleaning protocols, utilizing statistical software for data validation, and collaborating closely with research teams to understand the context behind the data. Analysts may also create documentation and standardized procedures to streamline future data processing and ensure data integrity. Staying updated with best practices in data management can help mitigate many of these issues.

What is the difference between Research Data Analyst vs Data Scientist?

AspectResearch Data AnalystData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in data analysis, statistics, or related field; often certifications in data toolsBachelor's or master's in computer science, statistics, or related; often advanced certifications or training
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, universities, or corporate research divisionsTech companies, finance, healthcare, or any industry leveraging big data
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic, government, and research organizationsPrivate sector, startups, and large corporations

Research Data Analysts focus on analyzing data to support research projects, often working within academic or research settings. Data Scientists have a broader scope, including building predictive models and advanced analytics across various industries. While both roles require strong analytical skills and familiarity with data tools, Data Scientists typically have more advanced technical expertise and work on complex data modeling tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Data Analyst jobs in California?

The most popular types of Research Data Analyst jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Data Analyst jobs in California?

For Research Data Analyst jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Data Analyst jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Data Analyst jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Research Data Analyst jobs?

Cities in California with the most Research Data Analyst job openings:

Research Data Analyst jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Data Analyst job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,996 per year, or $35.1 per hour.

Research Data Analyst

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Santa Monica, CA

$51.83 - $64.76/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, YOH EnterpriseSolutions.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

This is a hybrid / onsite position.

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Parts I and II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us.

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

Naughty Dog is looking for a Research Data Analyst to join our User Research team and help us better understand how players engage with our games. In this role, you'll work closely with Sony Game Analytics and development teams to turn player data into insight that can directly support creative and production decisions.

This position is ideal for someone who is curious, analytical, and deeply interested in how player behavior connects to game systems and design intent. Beyond working with technical tools and valuable reports, you'll be expected to identify meaningful trends, surfacing potential issues, to help teams understand the "why" behind player patterns. A strong candidate will be comfortable working across disciplines and excited to contribute to our games.

What you will do:

  • Analyze gameplay telemetry, player feedback, and research findings to identify trends, friction points, and opportunities across systems and features.
  • Translate complex datasets into clear insights and recommendations that inform design, prioritization, and development strategy.
  • Build and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to communicate key metrics and progress over time with tools like Tableau and Omni.
  • Partner with Sony Game Analytics, Gameplay, Engineering, and Design to support telemetry design, event tracking, and data quality.
  • Collaborate with User Research to connect quantitative analysis with qualitative findings from studies and playtests.
  • Participate in research efforts to better understand player behavior firsthand and identify new measurement opportunities.

What Skills you will use:

  • 3-5 years of experience in data analysis, analytics, UX research support, or a related field.
  • Experience working with telemetry data and game analytics workflows.
  • Strong analytical and statistical skills, including experience with SQL, Python, R, MongoDB, or similar tools.
  • Experience with analytics platforms such as Tableau, Looker, or similar platforms
  • A deep curiosity about player psychology, motivation, and behavior.
  • High attention to detail, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
  • Ability to effectively present information to top management and key stakeholders
  • A collaborative mindset and adaptability to the ever changing needs of video game production.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, or a related quantitative or research focused field.
  • Familiarity with narrative, single player game research and player experience evaluation.
  • Solid understanding of probability, statistics, and applied mathematical reasoning.
  • Ability to interpret technical and research materials and communicate findings clearly in reports and presentations.
  • Possesses a high degree of technical curiosity, regularly exploring how tools work under the hood.
  • Prior experience with AAA console or PC game development.

#LI-AB1

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click hereto learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.
$51.83-$64.76 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

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