Patron Insights Researcher, Quantitative Research

The New York Public Library; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

New York Public Library is seeking a Patron Insights Researcher, Quantitative Research, to advance data-driven understanding of patron interactions and impact. You will translate programmatic questions into actionable analyses, leveraging R or Python and SQL across large datasets.

The role reports to the Patron Insights & Analytics team and supports data-informed decisions across the Library. The position is full-time at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building with a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on professional experience in research and data analysis.
• Proven experience processing and analyzing data with languages such as R, Python, and SQL.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth analyses of patron datasets to derive insights and metrics for institutional tracking.
• Communicate findings to stakeholders in clear, non-technical terms and provide actionable guidance.
• Collaborate to build and maintain an analytical codebase using R or Python and version control.
• Maintain data processing pipelines and support data lake transition projects.
• Develop survey data analysis pipelines for consistent, rigorous analyses.

Skills

R

Python

SQL

Statistical analysis

Data visualization

Communication

Independent delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Git

Relational databases

Job description

Patron Insights Researcher, Quantitative Research

Application Deadline: 15 November 2026

Department: Patron Insights & Analytics

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Reporting To: Sarah Rankin

Compensation: $90,000 - $100,000 / year

Description

Overview
The Patron Insights Researcher, Quantitative Research will support institution-wide efforts to capture, amplify, and generate insights from our patron data in order to expand our impact and reach our ambitious growth goals. As a member of the Patron Insights & Analytics team, this role contributes to a core tenet of our 5-Year Strategy: ensuring all of our work – from policies and programs to outreach and marketing – is grounded in a deep understanding of our patrons.

This role will conduct ongoing quantitative research aimed at translating programmatic and operational questions into actionable insights, leveraging available data to conduct end-to-end data analysis. Additionally, this role will work closely with other members of the PI&A team to support quantitative analyses of qualitative research.

A successful candidate is a creative person interested in directly contributing to the vitality and growth of one of the world’s premier library systems and iconic public institutions. You’ll have the Library’s diverse user base to explore analytically, and you’ll collaborate cross functionally, developing strong relationships with staff throughout the Library.

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month, this person will:

• Learn the basic organizational structure of the Library and its services
• Familiarize themselves with the data systems and datasets available for patron research
• Review current in-progress analyses and research goals
• Meet key stakeholders and understand their roles

3 months, this person will:

• Understand all aspects of NYPL data systems and datasets
• Actively contribute to PI&A codebase and analyses
• Own one or more data processing pipelines

6 months and beyond, this person will:

• Lead work on multiple independent analyses
• Own the transition of multiple data processing pipelines to a new data lake

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth analyses of a wide array of library datasets to advance insights about patron usage of the library and develop metrics for ongoing institutional tracking
• Conduct targeted tactical analyses & create data summaries in response to requests from departments across the library
• Communicate findings to stakeholders, providing guidance and support that helps interpret complex findings for non-technical audiences
• Collaborate with PI&A colleagues to build and maintain a shared analytical codebase, using a modern data analysis language (R or Python) and version control
• Maintain existing PI&A data processing & analytical pipelines to keep analytical data data flowing while we transition to a more robust data lake
• Build and maintain survey data analysis pipelines to support rigorous & consistent analysis of information collected from library program participants
• Collaborate with our data engineering team to refactor existing metric pipelines and build out new ones in our new data lake infrastructure
• Perform other responsibilities as required

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

Bachelor’s degree

Required Experience

• 3+ years of hands‑on professional experience in research and data analysis, working with large/complex data sets
• Proven experience in processing and analyzing data with languages such as R, Python, and SQL
• Experience in meeting the research & data needs of a mission-based organization
• Experience working with survey data is beneficial
• Understanding of the workings of public libraries and research libraries is beneficial

Required Skills

• Proficiency in statistical programming language such as R or Python
• Proficiency with relational database concepts and query languages such as SQL
• Comfort with core statistical techniques such as significance testing, correlation, regression, distributions, factor and cluster analysis, sampling methodology, and basic predictive modeling
• Experience in creating reproducible data analyses with documentation and methodological transparency
• Demonstrated experience using statistical, analytical, and visualization skills to generate insights
• Ability to independently produce presentation-ready deliverables and clearly and persuasively communicate analytical insights and methodologies verbally, visually, and in writing
• Excellent analytic and quantitative reasoning skills, especially including the ability to rigorously evaluate the data needed to answer a given question (and the questions that can be answered by a given dataset)
• A learning mindset, with an appetite for developing skills and absorbing information
• Demonstrated successful experience working collaboratively and effectively and establishing trusting relationships within a diverse organization, across multiple levels of management and staff

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

More...

Core Values All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Office setting
• Hybrid Work Environment; 3 days onsite, 2 days remote

Physical Duties

• None

Pre-Placement Physical Required? No

Union/Non Union Non-Union

FLSA Status Exempt

Schedule

• Monday - Friday; 9-5; 35 hours a week
• Hybrid Work Environment; 3 days onsite, 2 days remote

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).