Research Assistant/Associate (Junior/Assistant/Associate Specialist) - California Policy Lab

Research Assistant/Associate (Junior/Assistant/Associate Specialist) - California Policy Lab

Institute for Research on Labor and Employment / VC Res Organized Research Units / UC Berkeley

Position overview

Position title: Research Assistant/Associate

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. A reasonable full-time salary estimate for this position is $65,000-$95,000.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: June 2026

Position duration: 1 year with the possibility of extension based on funding and performance

Application Window

Open date: April 22, 2026

Most recent review date: Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The California Policy Lab (CPL) generates research insights for government impact. Through hands-on partnerships with government agencies, CPL performs rigorous research across issue silos and builds the data infrastructure necessary to improve programs and policies that millions of Californians rely on every day. We work on California's most urgent issues, including homelessness, poverty, criminal justice reform, and education inequality. CPL-Berkeley is a center within the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE).

The Research Assistant/Associate is a critical member of CPL research teams working on policy issues such as criminal justice, education, employment, health, and the social safety net. The Research Assistant/Associate will apply a variety of data analysis and statistical modeling approaches to large datasets in real-world settings. They will collect and clean and prepare data for analysis, collaborate in research design and model development, and implement studies via advanced data analysis, all while working on multiple research projects concurrently. Specifically, the Research Assistant/Associate will be responsible for preparing and analyzing large datasets, primarily from government sources; applying knowledge of multiple statistical software packages and statistical analysis methods; helping to design and implement rigorous research designs, including randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies; preparing graphs, tables, and other displays of research results; preparing reports and presentations; and developing other policy-relevant deliverables, including academic publications. The Research Assistant/Associate will contribute to a growing practice of advanced analytical solutions to provide data-driven research and technical assistance to governmental partners. We seek applicants who are confident bridging the gap between academic researchers and government policymakers, and who want to carry out joint research agendas with CPL partners The position works directly with leading social policy researchers at UC Berkeley and UCLA, state and local government agency staff, as well as the leadership team at CPL.

Responsibilities include:

• Analyzes sensitive individual-level administrative data; prepares and summarizes information; recommends and implements statistical approaches.
• Cleans, links, and prepares data sets, primarily from government sources, for analysis, using STATA or another, similar language (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, Python).
• Communicates with government partners about data requests and other data issues.
• Collaborates on the design, documentation, testing and implementation of research studies, largely using quantitative methods and methods designed to assess causal impact.
• Prepares graphs, tables, and other displays of the results of research and analysis. Assists with preparation of manuscripts and presentations, including gathering references, copyediting, and confirming internal consistency.
• Researches and summarizes academic and applied research.
• Assists the Executive Director and Research Director with administrative aspects of research projects and execution of the Lab's other activities.

Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) program

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Junior Specialist: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree).

Assistant Specialist: Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree and at least two (2) years of professional experience OR Master's degree or equivalent international degree

Associate Specialist: Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree and at least five (5) years of professional experience OR Master's degree or equivalent international degree and at least three (3) years of professional experience

Preferred qualifications

• Graduate degree in a related field.
• STATA programming skills or knowledge of another, similar language (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, Python).
• Demonstrated quantitative skills, knowledge, and experience in data/statistical analysis, including analyzing large governmental datasets.
• Proficiency with additional statistical or programming languages such as R, Python, or SAS.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including writing skills.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage time and multi-task, and see assigned parts of projects through to completion deadline.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Experience working on randomized controlled trials.
• Experience managing projects and client relationships.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley 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, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place