Postdoctoral Scholar - O'Donnell Center Behavioral Economics - Haas Schoolof Business

Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee

Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level  the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position T23. The current minimum salary range for this position is $71,491 - $79,727. Salaries above the minimum may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Spring 2027

Position duration: The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding availability.

Open date: September 25, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Oct 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Feb 1, 2027 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 O'Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics and Finance, housed jointly in the Haas School of Business and the Department of Economics, seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will be part of Berkeley's O'Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics and Finance, directed by Professor Ulrike Malmendier. The center's mission is to support rigorous academic research in various areas of behavioral economics. We also pursue research in collaboration with researchers in neuroscience, cognitive science, and medicine. Faculty from the departments of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Economics, the Haas School of Business, the School of Public Health, the Goldman School of Public Policy, and the Information School are affiliated with the initiative.

The position offers direct engagement in new and exciting research opportunities and personal mentorship from faculty and other researchers on the team.

Duties of Position:

• Design Randomized Control Trials (RCT)
• Develop details of treatment - scripts, tasks, training local team
• Supervise RCT
• Collect and analyze data from RCT
• Write presentation slides
• Write draft on project

Scholars will gain an expanded network of collaborators and become members of the UC Berkeley research community by actively participating in seminar series and taking advantage of various internal workshops to present and receive feedback on their work. The postdoctoral scholar will also have time for their own complementary research.

Areas of research interest include, but are not limited to:

• neuroscience foundations of modern models of belief formation and economic/financial decision-making mental health, trauma.
• development economics, including the functioning of developing country labor markets and the economic lives of people experiencing poverty.
• labor economics and household finance.

Program
: behavioral-economics/

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in a Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree) program at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at start)

Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree) by the start date.

No more than three years of post-degree research experience.

Preferred qualifications

All candidates with a Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree) by start date in economics, finance, and related fields with interest in studying themes related to behavioral economics, behavioral finance, and applied economics are invited to apply.

Expertise in behavioral economics or development economics; strong econometric or theory training; and, in particular, significant experience with the design, implementation, and evaluation of field experiments.

Scholars with strengths in applied microeconometrics, field experiments, and applied data science (including machine learning and computational methods for working with unstructured data) are particularly encouraged.

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae
  - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
  - Please include relevant experience with conducting past RCTs (including corresponding roles).

Reference requirements:

• 2 required (contact information only)

References should be from individuals who are familiar with the applicant's written work and qualifications for the position.

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