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Research Data Analyst Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Clinical Research Data Coordinator This role supports oncology clinical trials by entering ... Proficiency in using computer applications and databases to manipulate, analyze, and report complex ...

Clinical Research Data Coordinator

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$28.50 - $38/hr

Clinical Research Data Coordinator This role supports oncology clinical trials by entering ... Proficiency in using computer applications and databases to manipulate, analyze, and report complex ...

Data Analyst Lead

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$7.6K - $9.5K/mo

The Research Data Specialist II (RDS II) is responsible for independently managing the data quality ... Data Analyst Lead Classification: RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST II $7,640.00 - $9,561.00 A New to State ...

Showing results 21-40

Research Data Analyst information

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$38K

$73K

$98.2K

How much do research data analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 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 cities in California are hiring for Research Data Analyst jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Research Data Analyst job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,996 per year, or $35.1 per hour.

Research Data Scientist

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$106 - $125/hr

Other

Re-posted 28 days ago


University Of Southern California rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

151st of 631 rated colleges and universities


Job description

## Research Data ScientistApplyremote type: Hybridlocations: Los Angeles, CA - University Park Campustime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: REQ20176309In order for your application to be considered, you must attach a cover letter and resume to your employment application.The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics is seeking a **Research Data Scientist (HR title: Research Programmer II)** to support cutting-edge health policy and economics research through advanced analytics, data infrastructure development, and project leadership. This role is part of a state-of-the-art data core and collaborates closely with principal investigators and a multidisciplinary research team. This is a full-time, one-year fixed term position (renewable) with a hybrid work arrangement.The mission of the Schaeffer Center is to measurably improve value in health through evidence-based policy solutions, research excellence, transformative education, and private- and public-sector engagement. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to work that has a meaningful impact on the transformation of health care and to apply advanced analytics to real-world policy questions using large-scale health care data.**Responsibilities:*** Lead and execute complex data analyses using large-scale health care data (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, commercial claims)* Design and build data pipelines, research tools, and analytic infrastructure* Ensure data quality and reproducibility through rigorous quality assurance processes* Manage projects, including timelines, deliverables, and coordination with cross-functional team members* Supervise and mentor junior staff* Translate complex data into actionable insights to support policy-relevant research**Required Qualifications:*** MA/MS in statistics, data science, economics, applied mathematics, or related quantitative field (or equivalent combined education and work experience)* 5+ years of experience with statistical programming (e.g., SAS, R, Python)* Experience with administrative health care claims data (Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial)* Experience with SQL, data warehouses (e.g., Snowflake), and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS)* Demonstrated experience leading analytic efforts and contributing to research projects* Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative solutions for complex data challenges* Eligibility to work in the U.S. (no visa sponsorship available)**Preferred Qualifications:*** Experience in health economics, health policy, public health, or similar discipline* 7+ years of experience with statistical programming* Experience with CMS secure environments (e.g., VRDC, IDR) and NIA LINKAGE.* Experience leveraging AI-assisted tools to enhance coding, data analysis, and workflow efficiency, including iterative or semi-automated workflows**Minimum Education:**Master’s Degree**Compensation**The annual base salary range for this position is $106,012.83 - $125,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.Commensurate with experience and qualifications.Position is 100% FTEPerforms other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.**Required Documents**Cover letterResume/CV**About the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics**Since its establishment in 2009, the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics has served as an intellectual hub for health policy and health economics research at USC. The Schaeffer Center’s mission is to measurably improve value in health through evidence-based policy solutions, research excellence, and private and public sector engagement. The Center ranks 4th in the world in health economics, and is a trusted resource for Congress, federal agencies (including CMS, FDA, CBO, and NIH), and organizations such as the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.The Schaeffer Center is a collaboration between the USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the USC Price School of Public Policy, and it is a flagship program of the Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service.**About the USC Schaeffer Institute**The USC Schaeffer Institute develops evidence-based solutions to address the nation’s most pressing policy issues. It serves as a policy laboratory to develop and test ideas generated by the USC academic community, fosters civic engagement, and provides a forum to reach federal policymakers.Established by an historic gift from Leonard D. Schaeffer in 2024, it houses three flagship programs: the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service, and the Center for Civic Society.Schaeffer experts have testified before numerous Congressional committees and are regularly sought out by media outlets—including the New York Times, NPR, Stat, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post—to provide insight on policy issues.The Schaeffer Institute is home to more than 150 scholars and staff, including three Nobel Laureates and seven members of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It has offices at USC in Los Angeles and at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC.**About the Sol Price School of Public Policy**Ranked among the foremost schools of public policy in the nation, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy generates uncommon knowledge for the common good. The school is composed of overlapping disciplines that generate innovative approaches to critical issues ranging from health-care policy to homelessness, and sustainability to congestion – to name a few. A wide-ranging curriculum, including extensive experiential learning, prepares our graduates to navigate problems that demand multi-layered solutions driven by critical, informed thinking.The Price School, founded in 1929, is anchored by four departments: Public Policy and Management, Health Policy and Management, Wilbur H. Smith III Department of Real Estate Development, and Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis. The School’s rigorous academic programs provide students with the knowledge and distinctive opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their professions. Integrating classroom instruction with real-world experience and led by some of the world’s most renowned faculty in their fields, our students establish a clear pathway to successful careers.Our academic programs are augmented by numerous research centers, institutes and initiatives that provide additional research expertise and experiences, notable among them are: The Judith and John Bedrosian Center on Governance and the Public; The Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy; The USC Lusk Center for Real Estate; The METRANS Transportation Consortium; The Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics; and The Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy. Together, they account for over $100 million in externally funded research grants and contracts.Together, these departments and research enterprises provide unmatched breadth and depth to tackle an enormous range of challenges facing our country and the world. Price graduates hold leadership positions across diverse sectors – public, private, and nonprofit – championing the advancement of the common good. They come from around the world and from a variety of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds to create a rich intellectual environment that celebrates, supports and benefits from a variety of backgrounds and opinions.**About the Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences**USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is located on the USC Health Sciences Campus, which includes the Keck Hospital of USC, the Norris Cancer Hospital, Doheny Eye Institute, and the flagship LAC+USC Medical Center, along with directing five university- and community-based pharmacies, adding a sixth in South Los Angeles in 2023. Ranked by US News and World Report as the #1 private pharmacy school in the United States, and the #2 overall school according to World Scholarship Forum, the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is recognized for its more than century-long reputation for innovation and leadership in pharmaceutical education, practice, research, and service to the community and to the profession. The school uniquely spans the entire spectrum of pharmaceutical development and clinical care – from drug discovery to regulatory approaches that promote safety and innovation, from delivery of contemporary patient care services to evaluating the impact of care provision on patient outcomes and costs. The school’s dynamic faculty is involved in all levels of pharmacy education: from undergraduate majors to multiple MS and PhD graduate programs, from the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program with dual degree options to a wide variety of advanced clinical residency and fellowship training, and from laboratory to bedside learning experiences. The school has recently received a $50 million endowment from the Alfred E. Mann Foundation to name the school and to support student scholarships, faculty development and recruitment, and integrated biomedical innovation.Minimum Education: Master's degree Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Skills: Relevant work experience to provide strong technical knowledge of programming and analysis as well as senior or lead experience. Demonstrated ability to stand in for researchers as circumstances require. Demonstrated creativity and innovation in solving conceptual programming problems. Preferred Experience: 5 years **USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the****Background Screening Policy Appendix D****for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.** #J-18808-Ljbffr

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About University of Southern California

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The University of Southern California (USC) is not a conventional company, but a private research university established in the heart of Los Angeles, CA, US. Founded in 1880, it's one of the oldest private research universities in California. USC operates in the education industry providing primary services of higher education, research, and community development. This prestigious institution offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The University is guided by its commitment to foster creativity, innovation, leadership, and discovery through academic excellence.

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10,000+ Employees

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Los Angeles , CA, US

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1880