Position overview
Position title: Research & Policy 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: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t24-b.pdf The current full-time base salary range for this position is $63,500 - $194,800. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100

Anticipated start: Fall/Winter 2025

Position duration: One year

Application Window

Open date: September 30, 2025

Next review date: Friday, Jul 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Aug 26, 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

UC Berkeley Labor Center
The UC Berkeley Labor Center conducts research and education on issues related to labor and employment. The Labor Center's curricula and leadership training serve to educate a diverse new generation of labor leaders. The Labor Center carries out policy-relevant research on topics such as job quality and workforce development and works with unions, policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop innovative policy perspectives and programs. The Labor Center provides an essential source of research and information on unions and the changing workforce for students, scholars, policymakers, and the public. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a high-impact, high-visibility organization and to work with a nationally recognized team of researchers, policy analysts, and educators.

Position Overview
The Research and Policy Associate will conduct policy-relevant research on low-wage work and a diverse set of policies that affect working families, immigrants, and communities of color in California and across the country. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a high-impact, high-visibility organization and to work with a nationally-recognized team of researchers, policy analysts, and academics.

Position Responsibilities

• Contributing to the low-wage work team at the Labor Center, conducting academic and policy-related research relevant to low-wage workers and working families
• Research methods include: Quantitative research, including statistical analyses drawing on government datasets, academic research and industry trade data; Qualitative research, including field interviews, focus groups, and analysis of secondary sources
• Providing technical assistance to stakeholders, policy makers, media and internal staff on issues related to low-wage work, labor standards, and other labor and employment topics
• Coordinating research with academic researchers on other UC Campuses
• Serving as co-author on research reports and policy briefs, and drafting op-eds and public testimony
• Contributing to fundraising proposals for research projects

Department: https://irle.berkeley.edu/

Unit: https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
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

Full Specialist

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree and at least ten (10) years of professional experience

OR

• Master's degree or equivalent international degree and at least eight (8) years of professional experience

OR

• PhD or equivalent international degree and at least two (2) years of professional experience.

The Labor Center is unable to offer visa sponsorship for these positions.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience conducting labor market analyses of wages and other job quality outcomes, the role of race, gender and immigration status, and firm and industry dynamics
• Demonstrably strong quantitative skills and experience in working with large government datasets such as the Current Population Survey and the American Community Survey, as well as strong STATA and/or R programming skills Familiarity with qualitative research methods
• A strong grounding in labor standards policies in the US Strong writing skills, geared toward policy research reports
• Experience working with academic researchers and stakeholders such as unions, worker centers, faith-based organizations, accountable development advocates, and others
• Ability to work independently and creatively

Associate Specialist

• Master's or equivalent international degree in economics, public policy, sociology, industrial relations, city or regional planning, geography or a related field, plus 3 years experience in research or policy (can be before the degree)

Full Specialist

• PhD or equivalent international degree with some relevant experience in policy research

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample #1 - Writing sample on a topic relevant to the position
• Writing Sample #2 - Writing sample on a topic relevant to the position
• Statement of Research (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05150

Help contact: [email protected]

Job location

Berkeley, CA; Eligible for 3 days remote work