diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/roles.py b/common/djangoapps/student/roles.py
index ff4f03d512..879d620bba 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/roles.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/roles.py
@@ -312,6 +312,14 @@ class CourseCcxCoachRole(CourseRole):
         super(CourseCcxCoachRole, self).__init__(self.ROLE, *args, **kwargs)
 
 
+class CourseDataResearcherRole(CourseRole):
+    """A Data Researcher"""
+    ROLE = 'data_researcher'
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        super(CourseDataResearcherRole, self).__init__(self.ROLE, *args, **kwargs)
+
+
 class OrgStaffRole(OrgRole):
     """An organization staff member"""
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/access.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/access.py
index 5da7ec1485..fbb431b401 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/access.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/access.py
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@ import logging
 
 from lms.djangoapps.instructor.enrollment import enroll_email, get_email_params
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.django_comment_common.models import Role
-from student.roles import CourseBetaTesterRole, CourseCcxCoachRole, CourseInstructorRole, CourseStaffRole
+from student.roles import (
+    CourseBetaTesterRole, CourseCcxCoachRole, CourseDataResearcherRole,
+    CourseInstructorRole, CourseStaffRole
+)
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -23,6 +26,7 @@ ROLES = {
     'instructor': CourseInstructorRole,
     'staff': CourseStaffRole,
     'ccx_coach': CourseCcxCoachRole,
+    'data_researcher': CourseDataResearcherRole,
 }
 
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
index da9d780973..dffcacc649 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/instructor_dashboard.py
@@ -56,7 +56,10 @@ from openedx.core.lib.url_utils import quote_slashes
 from openedx.core.lib.xblock_utils import wrap_xblock
 from shoppingcart.models import Coupon, CourseRegCodeItem, PaidCourseRegistration
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
-from student.roles import CourseFinanceAdminRole, CourseInstructorRole, CourseSalesAdminRole, CourseStaffRole
+from student.roles import (
+    CourseDataResearcherRole, CourseFinanceAdminRole, CourseInstructorRole,
+    CourseSalesAdminRole, CourseStaffRole
+)
 from util.json_request import JsonResponse
 from xmodule.html_module import HtmlBlock
 from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore
@@ -118,6 +121,7 @@ def instructor_dashboard_2(request, course_id):
         'sales_admin': CourseSalesAdminRole(course_key).has_user(request.user),
         'staff': bool(has_access(request.user, 'staff', course)),
         'forum_admin': has_forum_access(request.user, course_key, FORUM_ROLE_ADMINISTRATOR),
+        'data_researcher': CourseDataResearcherRole(course_key).has_user(request.user),
     }
 
     if not access['staff']:
@@ -709,6 +713,8 @@ def _section_data_download(course, access):
         ),
         'export_ora2_data_url': reverse('export_ora2_data', kwargs={'course_id': six.text_type(course_key)}),
     }
+    if not (access.get('data_researcher') or access.get('admin')):
+        section_data['is_hidden'] = True
     return section_data
 
 
diff --git a/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/membership.html b/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/membership.html
index 84ac8b7b1f..7945827b67 100644
--- a/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/membership.html
+++ b/lms/templates/instructor/instructor_dashboard_2/membership.html
@@ -216,6 +216,17 @@ from openedx.core.djangolib.markup import HTML, Text
       data-modify-endpoint="${ section_data['update_forum_role_membership_url'] }"
       data-add-button-label="${_("Add Discussion Admin")}"
     ></div>
+
+    <div class="auth-list-container"
+      data-rolename="data_researcher"
+      data-display-name="${_("Course Data Researcher")}"
+      data-info-text="
+        ${_("Course Data Researchers can access the data download tab.")}"
+      data-list-endpoint="${ section_data['list_course_role_members_url'] }"
+      data-modify-endpoint="${ section_data['modify_access_url'] }"
+      data-add-button-label="${_("Add Course Data Researcher")}"
+    ></div>
+
   %endif
 
   %if section_data['access']['instructor'] or section_data['access']['forum_admin']: