Policy Researcher​/Senior Policy Researcher, Health Care Program; Associate​/Specialist

Position Overview

Policy Researcher/Senior Policy Researcher, Health Care Program (Associate/Full Specialist) – UC Berkeley Labor Center

Salary range: $75,600 - $194,800 (UC academic salary scales). Off‑scale salaries may be offered to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start:
Spring 2026.

Position duration:
One year with possibility of extension based on funding and performance.

Open date:
February 10, 2026;
Final date:
June 30, 2026 (Pacific Time).

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

The UC Berkeley Labor Center’s Health Care Program seeks a Policy Researcher to conduct policy‑relevant research on health coverage, health care affordability for workers and their families, and the health care workforce. The research focuses on California’s low‑income and immigrant working families and communities of color, exploring labor and economic justice issues.

• Plan and conduct qualitative and quantitative research on health coverage, health care affordability, and health care workforce issues in California and nationally.
• Provide technical assistance to stakeholders and policymakers on related issues.
• Serve as co‑author or lead author on research reports and policy briefs.
• Contribute to fundraising proposals for research projects.
• Coordinate with researchers on other UC campuses.
• Engage the public via presentations, media responses, op‑eds, and public testimony.
• Support the Center’s efforts to build a diverse generation of future labor researchers, including working with or supervising graduate student researchers.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree.

• Associate Specialist: Bachelor’s or equivalent degree and at least five (5) years of professional experience; OR Master’s degree and at least three (3) years of professional experience.
• Full Specialist: Bachelor’s degree and at least ten (10) years of professional experience; OR Master’s degree and at least eight (8) years of professional experience; OR PhD and at least two (2) years of professional experience.

• Master’s degree or higher in Public Policy, Economics, Public Health, Sociology, or related field.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in research and policy analysis.
• Strong quantitative skills, large dataset experience, STATA and/or R programming.
• Familiarity with Census, California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), or California Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) data.
• Track record of research and policy analysis on health care and/or labor and employment issues, including race, immigration status, and income.
• Substantial knowledge of federal and state health care policies and major health policy issues.
• Experience with health care sector financial analysis and/or health economics.
• Advanced writing skills for policy research reports.
• Strong collaboration skills with stakeholders such as unions, health care consumer organizations, state agencies, university faculty, staff, and students.
• Experience scoping and managing multiple research projects and competing timelines.

• Curriculum Vitae – most recent C.V.
• Cover Letter.
• Writing Sample #1 – applied research or policy writing.
• Writing Sample #2 – applied research or policy writing where you were lead author and/or focused on health care or labor issues (Optional).

3–5 required (contact information only).

Berkeley, CA;
Eligible for 3 days remote work.

Apply link: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./JPF
05275

Help contact: miranda.dietz

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in its public mission of research, teaching, and service. The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's affirmative action and nondiscrimination in employment policy and the University of California's anti‑discrimination policy. In searches where letters of reference are required, all letters will be treated as confidential per university policy and California state law.

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.