Be ready to go over:

• Literature Reviews – How you synthesize existing academic literature to ground your research.
• Protocol Adherence – Your commitment to maintaining research ethics, IRB guidelines, and data security.
• Documentation – Your process for keeping meticulous research logs and code documentation.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How do you ensure your research remains compliant with institutional review board (IRB) standards?"
• "Walk me through how you document your data analysis pipeline to ensure another researcher can replicate your results."

Behavioral & Team Fit

Academic research is a team sport. This area evaluates your communication style, your ability to receive constructive feedback from PIs, and how you manage interpersonal dynamics within a lab or department.

Be ready to go over:

• Handling Ambiguity – How you perform when research directions shift mid-project.
• Constructive Feedback – Your response to having your analysis questioned or corrected by senior researchers.
• Interpersonal Dynamics – Your experience working with diverse teams of students, faculty, and administrative staff.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague or supervisor on a research approach. How did you resolve it?"
• "What makes you excited about working specifically within a university research environment?"

As a Research Analyst at the University of New Hampshire, your daily responsibilities will span the entire lifecycle of research projects. While specific tasks depend on your department, core responsibilities typically include:

• Data Collection and Management: Designing surveys, extracting data from institutional databases, and maintaining secure, well-organized data repositories.
• Statistical Analysis: Executing quantitative and qualitative analyses using statistical programming languages to identify trends, patterns, and correlations.
• Reporting and Visualization: Drafting comprehensive research reports, creating data dashboards, and designing visual aids to present findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration and Support: Participating in regular lab or department meetings, collaborating with faculty on grant proposals, and assisting undergraduate or graduate students with their research methodologies.
• Quality Assurance: Conducting regular audits of data inputs and analysis models to ensure the absolute integrity and replicability of all research outputs.

To be competitive for a Research Analyst position at UNH, you should possess a strong blend of academic preparation and technical skills.

• Must-have skills:

  • Proficiency in at least one major statistical tool or language (e.g., R, Python, SPSS, or Stata).
  • Strong understanding of quantitative research methodologies and basic statistical modeling.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to write clear technical reports.
  • High attention to detail and a proven track record of maintaining data integrity.

• Nice-to-have skills:

  • Prior experience working in an academic research lab or an institutional research office.
  • Familiarity with SQL and relational database management.
  • Experience with data visualization platforms like Tableau or Power BI.
  • Understanding of grant writing processes and federal research compliance standards.

Q: How difficult is the Research Analyst interview at the University of New Hampshire? A: The difficulty ranges from very easy (for student-specific and lab-assistant roles) to average (for professional, full-time staff roles). Student interviews focus heavily on coursework and motivation, while professional roles involve structured panel interviews testing technical depth.

Q: What is the typical timeline from the initial application to an offer? A: For student-focused roles, the process can move very quickly, sometimes concluding within a week of your initial conversation with a professor. For professional staff roles, the process can take four to eight weeks, as it involves HR screening, panel scheduling, and institutional approvals.

Q: Does UNH offer remote or hybrid work options for Research Analysts? A: This depends heavily on the department and the nature of the research. Lab-based roles usually require a consistent on-campus presence in Durham, NH, while institutional research or policy-focused analyst roles may offer hybrid flexibility.

Q: How should I prepare for a panel interview with the department? A: Prepare to speak in detail about your past projects, emphasizing your specific contributions. Be ready to explain your technical choices (e.g., why you used a specific statistical test or programming language) and demonstrate your familiarity with the department's ongoing research initiatives.

• Understand the PI’s Work: Before your interview, look up the publications and current projects of the principal investigators (PIs) or department heads you will be meeting. Referencing their recent work shows genuine interest and initiative.
• Highlight Replicability: In academic research, reproducibility is key. When discussing your past projects, emphasize how you documented your code and methodologies so that others could easily replicate your findings.
• Be Honest About Your Technical Limits: If you are asked about a programming language or tool you haven't mastered, be honest. Explain how your strong foundational knowledge in other tools will allow you to learn the new technology quickly.

• Showcase Soft Skills: Technical skills are highly valued, but your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and work collaboratively within a diverse academic community is often the deciding factor.

Securing a Research Analyst position at the University of New Hampshire is an excellent opportunity to contribute to high-impact research while developing a robust technical and analytical toolkit. By focusing your preparation on both your technical competencies and your collaborative communication skills, you can position yourself as a highly competitive candidate.

As you prepare, remember to tailor your narrative to the specific department or lab you are targeting. Highlight your passion for academic inquiry, your methodical approach to data, and your enthusiasm for joining the vibrant UNH community.

To gain deeper insights into compensation structures and compare salary ranges for similar analytical roles across the academic sector, review the salary data module below. For additional practice questions, company profiles, and preparation strategies, continue exploring the resources available on Dataford.

The salary data shown above represents typical compensation ranges for analysts within academic and research environments. When reviewing this data, keep in mind that compensation can vary based on your level of education (e.g., Bachelor's vs. Master's), the specific funding source of the lab (state-funded vs. federally endowed grants), and your overall years of analytical experience. Use these figures as a helpful baseline for your career planning and compensation conversations.