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Research Scholar (6256U) 71212

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

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Departmental Overview

The Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) has 30 ladder rank faculty, 12 emeriti faculty, more than 70 staff members, and more than 30 academic Lecturers. It occupies seven buildings (both on and off-campus) with more than 40,000 assignable square feet; within those buildings are eight classrooms and more than 100 offices.

The School is primarily a graduate school, with four degree programs at the graduate level: the Masters of Public Policy (MPP); a Self-Supporting Degree Program - the Masters of Public Affairs (MPA); the Masters of Development Practice (MDP); and our PhD program in Public Policy. Its annual budget is approximately $40M, made up of revenue sources such as current use and endowed philanthropy funds, contracts and grants, supplemental tuition from the MDP and MPP programs, self-supporting degree revenue from the MPA, and state funding.

The School is home to more than 10 research centers led by GSPP faculty: the Institute for Research on Labor Economics; the Center for Studies on Higher Ed; the Center for Environmental Public Policy; the Berkeley Institute for Young Americans; the Center on Civility and Democratic Engagement; the Global Policy Lab; the Possibility Lab; the Center for Security in Politics; the Berkeley Risk & Security Lab; the Berkeley Opportunity Lab; the California Policy Lab; the India Energy and Climate Center; the Risk and Resilience Research Lab, and others.

GSPP enrolls more than 1500 undergraduates annually in elective classes, and has more than 600 students in its undergraduate minor. The School has approximately 330 Master's degree candidates, 20 PhD students, and more than 3,000 alumni. GSPP hires more than 60 graduate student instructors, readers, lecturers and graduate student researchers annually. Its constituency also includes parents, friends and a number of organizations representing state, federal and local government and policy organizations. Former UC President Emerita Janet Napolitano is a ladder rank faculty member at the School, and she has expanded the research in Security Policy, as well as enabling connections with heads of state and former heads of state, both in the United States and abroad.

GSPP has been ranked first among Policy Analysis schools in the US for more than 20 years by US News and World Report. GSPP is also consistently ranked as one of the top graduate schools of Social Policy, and ranked fourth nationally in the fields of Public Affairs and Environmental Policy & Management.

The Berkeley Risk & Security Lab (BRSL) at the UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy is an academic research center focused on the intersection of technology and security. The Lab conducts analytical research, designs and fields wargames, and engages with policy-makers and stakeholders in government, private industry, and civil society. A common theme throughout our research is examining how new technologies and capabilities-from dual-use technologies to those designed for military applications-might impact strategic stability and the prospects for international peace and security.

Position Summary

We expect the research associate/scholar's research to investigate both stability risks posed by emerging technologies and the various ways in which policy-makers, at the national and international level, might consider various governance mechanisms to manage and mitigate these risks. The research scholar will play a critical and active role in shaping a research agenda in this domain, and will be responsible for laying the foundations for an on-going program of investigation.

The role is well suited for candidates interested in researching emerging issues at the intersection of technology, politics, and security through an interdisciplinary lens, making connections between technical developments and their implications on policy, politics, and society. The scholar will have opportunities to propose and implement research projects that align with the Laboratory's programming.

The research scholar will work closely with BRSL's Faculty and Lab Directors, affiliated Berkeley faculty, and external collaborators to conduct scholarly research and contribute to ongoing policy debates. The scholar will be expected to produce novel research results communicated in academic publications, lead research workshops or other convening on the topic of their research, and participate in the relevant academic conferences and policy conversations.
Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is 08/07/2024.

There are two openings for this position and the posting will remain open until all positions are filled.
Responsibilities

Research

• Approximately 60% of the research scholar's time will be dedicated towards original research, including: research design; authoring and co-authoring BRSL reports, op-eds, and peer-reviewed publications; compiling literature reviews; and conducting data collection and analysis

Research Workshops and Event Coordination

• Approximately 20% of the research scholar's time will be dedicated towards designing and leading workshops focused on the scholar's, and the lab's, research agenda, as well as organizing other research focused in-person and virtual events.
• Attending workshops, conferences, and other external engagements Approximately 10% of the research scholar's time will be dedicated to attending workshops, conferences, and other external engagements related to their research agenda.

Policy Engagement

• Approximately 5% of the research scholar's time will be dedicated to engaging with and briefing policy makers and other key research stakeholders.

Other Duties as Assigned

• This position is required to do annual mandated training.
• This position requires working on-site.
• Occasional travel and/or evening and weekend hours may be required.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of research functions and data analysis.
• Demonstrated quantitative skills, knowledge, and experience in data/statistical analysis, including analyzing large governmental data sets.
• STATA programming skills or knowledge of another, similar language (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, Python).
• Ability to communicate complex academic information in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in writing. Solid interpersonal skills and collaboration skills.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential data.
• Experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Ability to create visual and graphic elements: charts, graphs, trend lines-for reports and press releases
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, economics, sociology, public policy, or other relevant social/mathematical science field or equivalent training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing projects and client relationships.
• Experience working on randomized controlled trials.
• Demonstrated experience with public speaking and presentations.

Salary & Benefits

This is an 18-month contract position. Extension is possible with continued funding.

This position is eligible for the full range of UC Benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $34.77-$48.28.
How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.


To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=71212&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=21&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant