Junior Specialist​/Assistant Specialist - O'Donnell Center Behavioral Economics

Overview

Junior Specialist or Assistant Specialist - O'Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics - Haas School of Business

Position title:

Junior Specialist or Assistant Specialist

Salary range:
The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay al salary will be commensurate with level of experience. The current full-time salary range for Junior Specialist positions is $55,000 to $58,600. The current full-time salary for Assistant Specialist positions is $63,500 to $70,700.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start:
July 1, 2026

Position duration: 1 Year with possible extension for a second year.

Open date:
March 25, 2026

Next review date:
Wednesday, Apr 8, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Friday, Jul 31, 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.

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 position assists in research in behavioral economics and finance, intersecting with topics in applied microeconomics, macro-finance, labor, and health.

The mission of the O Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics is to support scholarship combining the highest standards of economic research with insights drawn from psychology and across the sciences—including cognitive science, neuroscience, biology, medicine, epidemiology, and genetics. The candidate would work at the Haas School of Business O Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics under the supervision of Professor Ulrike Malmendier.

• Develop and Execute Data Workflows:
  Clean complex datasets, identify and resolve technical coding issues, and monitor statistical deliverables to ensure rigorous quality assurance. (20% time)
• Implement Econometric Analyses:
  Write efficient, collaborative, and replicable code to maintain datasets and execute analyses using reduced-form (DiD, RD, IV) and structural econometrics (MLE, GMM, dynamic programming). (20% time)
• Support Research Design:
  Assist in the design and interpretation of causal inference models, collaborating with the research team and external experts to refine ongoing project analyses. (20% time)
• Manage Project Documentation:
  Maintain accurate, transparent documentation of all data processing and analytical steps to ensure research replicability. (20% time)
• Contribute to Scholarly Output:
  Prepare research manuscripts and project reports, including the generation of publication-quality tables and graphical visualizations of results. (20% time)
• Program:
  Haas link text here

Basic qualifications (required at time of application):
The minimum qualification is to be enrolled in a Bachelor s Degree, or equivalent international degree at time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start):
Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor s degree (or equivalent international degree) by their start date.

Preferred qualifications:

A Bachelor s degree in a quantitative field—such as Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, or a related discipline—with both theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge in Economics. An advanced degree by the start date is preferred. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a research team and/or prior experience working with data in a research context.

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated CV
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, and inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research. (Optional)

Reference requirements: 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: text removed

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