PostDoctoral Scholar Employee - Goldman School of Public Policy
The University of California, Berkeley
About this position
Position Overview
Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. See Table 23 A reasonable estimate for this position is $71,491 - $79,727. Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: Spring Semester Position duration: The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding availability.
Application Deadline
Open date: September 4, 2026 Next review date:Friday, Sep 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Monday, Jan 4, 2027 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
Professor Caitlin Patler at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy (Goldman School) is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join a research program focused on immigrant families, children, and communities, and the consequences of U.S. immigration policy. The position is embedded within the Empirical Research Hub to Protect Children in Immigrant Families, co-led by Professor Chloe East at University of Colorado, Boulder, in partnership with the Children Thrive Action Network. The Postdoctoral Scholar will pursue a portfolio of activities spanning three areas: Causal Research: The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to original, peer-reviewed research using rigorous causal inference methods. Projects will examine the effects of U.S. immigration policy on immigrant families, children, and communities, drawing on administrative data, surveys, and/or other large-scale datasets. The postdoc will have latitude to develop independent research directions within this substantive scope. Rapid-Response Policy Research: The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to time-sensitive research and analysis in response to emerging policy developments. This may include, e.g., producing policy briefs, data summaries, and other accessible research products for non-academic audiences. Scholar Hub Coordination: The postdoctoral scholar will assist with coordination of hub activities. Coordination duties may include, e.g., organizing convenings, supporting communications and dissemination, facilitating collaboration across hub members, and tracking and synthesizing research outputs. The postdoctoral scholar will receive mentorship and career development support from the project PIs and collaborators. There will be ample opportunities for co-authored publications and engagement with policy and advocacy communities
Qualifications
Basic qualifications(required at time of application)• Ph.D. or equivalent international degree, or enrollment in a Ph.D. (or equivalent international) program. Additional qualifications(required at time of start)Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date No more than three years of post-degree research experience by the start date. Preferred qualifications• PhD. in economics, sociology, demography, public policy, or an adjacent social science discipline • Advanced skills in causal inference methods (e.g., difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, synthetic control) • Strong quantitative data analysis skills and experience working with large-scale administrative or survey datasets • Demonstrated interest or experience with research or other work in immigration policy, immigrant families, or immigrant communities • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to translate research for policy and practitioner audiences • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-based environment • Prior research experience on U.S. immigration policy, immigrant families, or immigrant communities • Experience with additional methods of policy evaluation, e.g., machine learning, text analysis, mixed methods, qualitative research • Experience producing public-facing research summaries for non-academic audiences • Experience with project management, mentoring research assistants, or coordinating multi-stakeholder teams • Familiarity with practitioner, advocacy, or government partners working on immigration issues
Application Requirements
Document requirementsCurriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. Cover Letter - Please describe your research agenda (up to 2 pages), with attention to how it connects to this position's substantive focus and methods requirements Writing Sample - a published or working paper that best demonstrates your causal inference expertise (may be sole-authored or co-authored; please indicate your contribution if co-authored Reference requirements 3 required (contact information only) Please provide contact information for three academic references. Apply link:https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05505 Help contact:patler@berkeley.edi