Research & Policy Associate; Assistant​/Associate​/Specialist - UC Berkeley Labor Center

Position Overview

Position title:

Research & Policy Associate

Salary range:
The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step  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

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.

It provides an essential source of research and information on unions and the changing workforce for students, scholars, policymakers, and the public.

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.

• Contribute to the low‑wage work team at the Labor Center, conducting academic and policy‑related research relevant to low‑wage workers and working families.
• Employ quantitative research methods, including statistical analyses drawing on government datasets, academic research and industry trade data.
• Apply qualitative research methods, including field interviews, focus groups, and analysis of secondary sources.
• Provide technical assistance to stakeholders, policymakers, media, and internal staff on issues related to low‑wage work, labor standards, and other labor and employment topics.
• Coordinate research with academic researchers on other UC campuses.
• Serve as co‑author on research reports and policy briefs, and draft op‑eds and public testimony.
• Contribute to fundraising proposals for research projects.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree and at least two (2) years of professional experience.
• OR Master’s degree or equivalent international degree.

• 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.

• 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.

• Experience conducting labor market analyses of wages and other job quality outcomes, including the role of race, gender and immigration status, and firm and industry dynamics.
• Strong quantitative skills and experience working with large government datasets such as the Current Population Survey and the American Community Survey, and strong STATA and/or R programming skills; familiarity with qualitative research methods.
• Strong grounding in labor standards policies in the US and 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.
• For Associate Specialist:
  Master’s or equivalent international degree in economics, public…