Inside Higher Ed
Health & Safety Net Researcher (Associate/Full Specialist) - California Policy L
Inside Higher Ed, Berkeley, California, United States, 94709
Health & Safety Net Researcher (Associate/Full Specialist) - California Policy Lab
Position Title: Health & Safety Net Researcher (Associate/Full Specialist) - California Policy Lab
Location: Berkeley, CA (expectation of 3 days a week in the office)
Salary: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. The current full‑time base salary range for this position is $76,500 – $197,700. Off‑scale salaries may be offered to meet competitive conditions.
Percent Time: 100%
Anticipated Start: December 2025
Position Duration: Two years
Application Window: Open date October 20, 2025 – Final date December 31, 2025 (Pacific Time). Applications after the review date may be considered only if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Overview The California Policy Lab (CPL) generates research insights for government impact through rigorous studies and data infrastructure. The Health & Safety Net Researcher will lead CPL’s research portfolio on the social safety net and health, collaborating with faculty affiliates and the Research Director to design and conduct policy‑relevant quantitative research in partnership with state and local agencies across California. Responsibilities include conceptualizing research questions, data acquisition and cleaning, analysis plan development, quality assurance, results synthesis for academic and policy audiences, and replicability documentation. The role may implement randomized controlled trials, quasi‑experimental designs, difference‑in‑differences, event study analyses, and oversee small research teams and proposal development. The researcher will also mentor and supervise other staff, report to the Research Director, and engage with leading social policy researchers and government partners.
Position Responsibilities
Conduct quantitative research under the oversight of the Research Director, including design, data management, analysis, quality assurance, and document generation.
Publish multiple reports and policy briefs annually based on research findings.
Implement diverse research designs such as randomized control trials, quasi‑experimental designs, and difference‑in‑differences or event study analyses.
Lead research projects with small teams, write proposals, and ensure timely, high‑quality completion of tasks.
Supervise and provide feedback to other research staff.
Partner effectively with state and local agency staff to build a joint research agenda.
Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley hires 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.
Qualifications Basic Qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree.
Additional Qualifications (required at time of start) 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
Ph.D. or equivalent international degree and at least two (2) years of professional experience.
The California Policy Lab is unable to offer visa sponsorship for these positions. Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. in economics, public policy, or related social science field, or equivalent experience.
Five or more years of post‑Ph.D. experience managing projects as a Principal Investigator and supervising staff.
Training and experience that clearly demonstrates qualifications.
Fluency in data‑analysis packages such as Python, R, Stata, SQL, or SAS.
Expertise in one of CPL’s policy areas.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work both independently and as a team member.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi‑task with demanding timeframes.
Record of independent research and publication, including leading research design and analysis and writing for both academic and policy audiences.
Experience writing grant proposals, communicating with funders, and managing grant reporting.
Expertise in social safety net and/or health policy research.
Experience working with large and complex administrative datasets, including data linkage techniques.
Knowledge of data management systems, practices, and standards and ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential data; experience with GitHub.
Experience collaborating with government agency partners.
Application Requirements Document Requirements
Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter.
Research Statement – discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans (optional).
Writing Sample – one or more illustrative examples of the candidate’s research (e.g., job market paper, manuscript, or other research product).
Reference Requirements
3–5 required (contact information only).
Apply via: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05157
Help contact: chris_runde@berkeley.edu
Location Berkeley, CA (expectation of 3 days a week in the office).
EEO Statement UC Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants 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, refer to the University of California’s Anti‑Discrimination Policy and related affirmative action policies. All letters of reference are treated as confidential as per University policy and California state law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location: Berkeley, CA (expectation of 3 days a week in the office)
Salary: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. The current full‑time base salary range for this position is $76,500 – $197,700. Off‑scale salaries may be offered to meet competitive conditions.
Percent Time: 100%
Anticipated Start: December 2025
Position Duration: Two years
Application Window: Open date October 20, 2025 – Final date December 31, 2025 (Pacific Time). Applications after the review date may be considered only if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Overview The California Policy Lab (CPL) generates research insights for government impact through rigorous studies and data infrastructure. The Health & Safety Net Researcher will lead CPL’s research portfolio on the social safety net and health, collaborating with faculty affiliates and the Research Director to design and conduct policy‑relevant quantitative research in partnership with state and local agencies across California. Responsibilities include conceptualizing research questions, data acquisition and cleaning, analysis plan development, quality assurance, results synthesis for academic and policy audiences, and replicability documentation. The role may implement randomized controlled trials, quasi‑experimental designs, difference‑in‑differences, event study analyses, and oversee small research teams and proposal development. The researcher will also mentor and supervise other staff, report to the Research Director, and engage with leading social policy researchers and government partners.
Position Responsibilities
Conduct quantitative research under the oversight of the Research Director, including design, data management, analysis, quality assurance, and document generation.
Publish multiple reports and policy briefs annually based on research findings.
Implement diverse research designs such as randomized control trials, quasi‑experimental designs, and difference‑in‑differences or event study analyses.
Lead research projects with small teams, write proposals, and ensure timely, high‑quality completion of tasks.
Supervise and provide feedback to other research staff.
Partner effectively with state and local agency staff to build a joint research agenda.
Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley hires 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.
Qualifications Basic Qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree.
Additional Qualifications (required at time of start) 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
Ph.D. or equivalent international degree and at least two (2) years of professional experience.
The California Policy Lab is unable to offer visa sponsorship for these positions. Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. in economics, public policy, or related social science field, or equivalent experience.
Five or more years of post‑Ph.D. experience managing projects as a Principal Investigator and supervising staff.
Training and experience that clearly demonstrates qualifications.
Fluency in data‑analysis packages such as Python, R, Stata, SQL, or SAS.
Expertise in one of CPL’s policy areas.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work both independently and as a team member.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi‑task with demanding timeframes.
Record of independent research and publication, including leading research design and analysis and writing for both academic and policy audiences.
Experience writing grant proposals, communicating with funders, and managing grant reporting.
Expertise in social safety net and/or health policy research.
Experience working with large and complex administrative datasets, including data linkage techniques.
Knowledge of data management systems, practices, and standards and ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential data; experience with GitHub.
Experience collaborating with government agency partners.
Application Requirements Document Requirements
Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter.
Research Statement – discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans (optional).
Writing Sample – one or more illustrative examples of the candidate’s research (e.g., job market paper, manuscript, or other research product).
Reference Requirements
3–5 required (contact information only).
Apply via: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05157
Help contact: chris_runde@berkeley.edu
Location Berkeley, CA (expectation of 3 days a week in the office).
EEO Statement UC Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants 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, refer to the University of California’s Anti‑Discrimination Policy and related affirmative action policies. All letters of reference are treated as confidential as per University policy and California state law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr