Research Assistant​/Associate; Junior​/Assistant​/Associate Specialist - California Policy Lab

Position Title

Research Assistant/Associate

The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step imum pay is based on the Representative Specialist Series Salary Scale. A reasonable full‑time salary estimate for this position is $65,000–$95,000.

100%

June 2026

1 year with the possibility of extension based on funding and performance.

The California Policy Lab (CPL) generates research insights for government impact. Through hands‑on partnerships with government agencies, CPL performs rigorous research across issue silos and builds the data infrastructure necessary to improve programs and policies that millions of Californians rely on every day. We work on California’s most urgent issues, including homelessness, poverty, criminal justice reform, and education inequality. CPL‑Berkeley is a center within the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE).

The Research Assistant/Associate is a critical member of CPL research teams working on policy issues such as criminal justice, education, employment, health, and the social safety net. The Research Assistant/Associate will apply a variety of data analysis and statistical modeling approaches to large datasets in real‑world settings, collect and clean data for analysis, collaborate in research design and model development, and implement studies via advanced data analysis, all while working on multiple research projects concurrently.

They will prepare and analyze large datasets, primarily from government sources; apply knowledge of multiple statistical software packages and methods; help design and implement rigorous research designs, including randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi‑experimental studies; prepare graphs, tables, and other displays of research results; prepare reports and presentations; and develop other policy‑relevant deliverables, including academic publications.

• Analyze sensitive individual‑level administrative data; prepare and summarize information; recommend and implement statistical approaches.
• Clean, link, and prepare data sets, primarily from government sources, for analysis using STATA or another similar language (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, Python).
• Communicate with government partners about data requests and other data issues.
• Collaborate on the design, documentation, testing and implementation of research studies, largely using quantitative methods and methods designed to assess causal impact.
• Prepare graphs, tables, and other displays of the results of research and analysis. Assist with preparation of manuscripts and presentations, including gathering references, copy‑editing, and confirming internal consistency.
• Research and summarize academic and applied research.
• Assist the Executive Director and Research Director with administrative aspects of research projects and execution of the Lab's other activities.

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program.

Junior Specialist – Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree).

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.

• Graduate degree in a related field.
• STATA programming skills or knowledge of another similar language (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, Python).
• Demonstrated quantitative skills, knowledge, and experience in data/statistical analysis, including analyzing large governmental datasets.
• Proficiency with additional statistical or programming languages such as R, Python, or SAS.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including writing skills.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage time and…