Junior or Assistant Specialist - Department of Political Science
Position overview
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t24-b.pdf A reasonable full-time salary estimate for this position is $55,000-$63,500.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: July 1, 2026
Position duration: One year, with possibility of renewal
Application Window
Open date: October 15, 2025
Next review date: Sunday, Nov 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Jan 30, 2026 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.
Position description
The Berkeley Center for American Democracy, under the guidance of Professor David Broockman, with the Travers Department of Political Science at UC Berkeley, is seeking highly motivated individuals for the position of Junior or Assistant Specialist.
The Center for the Study of American Democracy supports research on political institutions, political behavior, and political economy in the United States. The Center focuses on research of broad importance to American society, such as the political roots of rising inequality, the political and historical roots of our criminal justice and incarceration crisis, and the causes of political polarization. Understanding these questions is not only of academic importance but can help guide policymakers and society as the country faces unprecedented new challenges.
The Junior or Assistant Specialist will support Professor Broockman and other faculty members on their research. The research duties will span several topics, including:
- Assistance with the historical data on Congressional proposals. This will entail historical research and data analysis.
- Assistance with the gathering data on policing, crime, and crime victimization.
- Assistance with the historical data on polarization in the United States.
- Assistance with gathering data on local governments and politics.
- Provide occasional support for the activities of the Center, such as publicizing faculty research.
Department: https://polisci.berkeley.edu/
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) program.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Completion of Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) is required by the start date.
Preferred qualifications
- Coding skills in Stata or R
- Research assistance experience
- Desire to pursue an advanced degree in political science or a related field
Application Requirements
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
- Statement of Purpose - Please outline your research experience and qualifications, as well as the reasons you are interested in the position. If you have applied to graduate school, you can use the same statement.
- Writing Sample (Optional)
- Unofficial Transcript
Reference requirements
- 1 letter of reference required
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05187
Help contact: knera@berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
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 when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
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.
Job location
Berkeley, CA
To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05187
