Senior Researcher

Job Opportunity

We anticipate holding in-person interviews beginning the week of September 14, 2026. We look forward to meeting with you! Do you enjoy solving complex problems in a collaborative team environment? Are you energized by using data to uncover insights, improve processes, and influence organizational decision-making? Do you thrive working with cross-functional teams to tackle meaningful business challenges? If you do, we encourage you to apply for this exciting job opportunity!

The Strategy, Projects and Data Analytics Division (SPDA) is currently seeking three Research Data Specialist IIs (RDS II), one to join our Policy Insights Team, and two to join our Lean Insights Team. SPDA partners with leaders across CalPERS to improve how we serve our members and operate as an organization. Our work combines research, data analytics, policy insights, process improvement, facilitation, and project management to solve enterprise-wide challenges, support strategic decision-making, and assist in policy and procedural impacts while helping teams anticipate and adapt to evolving business needs.

The Policy Insights Team has the primary role in conducting research and data analytics to inform policy issues, business decisions, and internal regulation/legislation insights across the organization. The team provides insights from external sources to assist in enhancing existing needs and pension system trends, building strong partnerships that allow for strong governance and policy across the organization, and serving as a translator between operational objectives and state/CalPERS regulation and/or policy changes.

The Lean Insights Team provides enterprise-wide business process improvement, research, and data analytics support to improve operational efficiency, and support data-informed decision-making across CalPERS. As the only dedicated Lean unit within the organization, the team leads and facilitates complex process improvement initiatives, conducts qualitative and quantitative research, analyzes operational and customer experience data, and develops recommendations that support strategic and operational decision-making.

Act quickly to apply for this hybrid position, where you'll enjoy up to 40% (two days) remote work, each week! This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025).

PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.