Research Assistant/Associate (Junior/Assistant/Associate Specialist) - California Policy Lab
The University of California, Berkeley
About this position
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. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: Represented Specialist Series Salary Scale 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 Next review date:Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. 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 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. Department: https://irle.berkeley.edu/ Unit: https://capolicylab.org/
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 qualificationsGraduate 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 requirementsCurriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. Cover Letter Reference requirements 3 required (contact information only) Apply link:https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05338 Help contact:johanna.lacoe@berkeley.edu
Job Location
2521 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA; Eligible for 2 days remote work per week Apply now to Research Assistant/Associate (Junior/Assistant/Associate Specialist) - California Policy Lab or Log in to your portfolio Need help? Contact the hiring department. The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. You have the right to an equal employment opportunity. The University of California, Berkeley is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. See our Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act Annual Security Reports Academic Personnel Recruit University of California, Berkeley Accessibility About California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out IconPrivacy Policy © 2007-2026 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.