Junior Specialist​/Assistant Specialist - Institute for Business & Social Impact - Haas School of Business

Junior Specialist/Assistant Specialist
- Institute for Business & Social Impact
- Haas School of Business

The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley is seeking highly motivated individuals for the position of Junior or Assistant Specialist. The positions are to assist in research in economic development, labor, and health economics, applying rigorous methods for causal inference and machine learning.

The Institute for Business and Social Impact (IBSI) was launched in November 2013 at the Haas School of Business to train and empower leaders to address society's most pressing challenges. As part of the top-ranked Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, IBSI advances pioneering research at the intersection of business and social impact, with particular focus on workforce skills development, financial inclusion, and mental health in organizational settings.

The candidate would work at the Haas School of Business IBSI under the supervision of Laura Chioda (manager) and Professor Paul Gertler.

General Duties:

• Research Design & Analysis (20%):
  Assist in designing and interpreting analyses using advanced econometric methods, including reduced form approaches (difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables) and structural econometrics (method of moments, maximum likelihood, dynamic programming), with a focus on causal inference.
• Data Collection & Field Operations (15%):
  Support the design and implementation of field experiments, survey development, and primary data collection activities; monitor data quality and coordinate with field teams to ensure research protocols are followed.
• Data Management & Programming (20%):
  Write efficient, well-documented code to manipulate large datasets and implement complex analyses; maintain data infrastructure using collaborative and replicable programming practices.
• Quality Assurance & Documentation (15%):
  Clean and validate data, identify and resolve technical issues with datasets or code, and maintain comprehensive documentation of all research procedures and analytical decisions.
• Research Communication (10%):
  Prepare materials for research manuscripts, project reports, and presentations; generate publication-ready tables, graphs, and visualizations that effectively communicate findings.
• Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing (20%):
  Work closely with faculty, research team members, and external collaborators to advance ongoing analyses, share methodological expertise, and contribute to the broader research agenda.

Qualifications

(required at time of application)

• The minimum qualification to be enrolled in a Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent international degree program at time of application.

(required at time of start)

• A Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent international degree at the start of appointment.

• A Bachelor's degree or in a quantitative field, including Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics or related and theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in Economics. An advanced degree by start date is preferred.
• At least one year of experience as predoc. Scholars with strengths in applied micro-econometrics, field experiments, survey and applied data science (including machine learning and computational methods fare particularly encouraged.
• Advanced proficiency in the following coding languages:
  Proficiency in Coding
  
  Languages:
  
  R, Java, Python. Demonstrated experience with large and complex data sets.
• Demonstrated proficiency to work as part of a research team and/or previous experience working with data in a research context, including data collection.

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae
  - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)

• 1-3 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.

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