CLC Assistant Specialist

Position overview

• Position title: CLC Assistant Specialist
• Salary range: See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable salary estimate for Assistant Specialist is at a range between $69,400 - $73,200 annually.
• Percent time: 100%
• Anticipated start: October 2026
• Position duration: 2 years (October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2028)
• Open date: September 10, 2026
• Next review date: Thursday, Sep 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
• Final date: Monday, Aug 23, 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 UC Merced Community and Labor Center is hiring an assistant specialist in the field of labor, to provide support for multiple applied labor research and policy projects. Under the supervision of the professional researcher (or any other center PI), the assistant specialist will work collaboratively with the center's research unit to conduct research on issues related to labor and employment.

The assistant specialist will contribute to IRB submissions; prepare research instruments; conduct community engaged research; collect, code and analyze quantitative and qualitative data; co-author and format fact sheets, briefs and/or reports; create and deliver research presentations; and contribute to the submission of sponsored project applications.

Research, Data Collection and Analysis, and Writing (90%)

• Conduct research on issues related to labor and employment, including industry analyses.
• Contribute to IRB submissions for human subjects research.
• Prepare research instruments for labor center research and program evaluation.
• Utilize community and labor practices to conduct community engaged research with partnering organizations (e.g. planning and leading trainings, holding office hours, etc).
• Collect data from a range of publicly available data sources, as well as datasets and data systems created by the labor center.
• Code quantitative data (e.g., survey data) and qualitative data (e.g., interview data).
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data (including evaluation data).
• Co-author and format issue-based fact sheets, research briefs, and/or reports.
• Create and deliver research presentations.
• Contribute to the submission of sponsored project applications.

Public Service (10%)

• Utilize expertise in community and labor to plan, coordinate and attend meetings and events, and to identify areas of interest in applied research among labor stakeholders and the general public.
• Serve as a liaison with and respond to the needs of labor organizations, agencies and external groups.

Basic qualifications: Master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in applied labor research.

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae
  - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Authorization to Release Information Form
  - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
  
  Required Authorization of Information Release may be found at the linked page. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Candidates must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. UC Merced is not currently able to sponsor…