Academic Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position overview
Position title: Assistant or Associate Researcher
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: Professional Research Series . A reasonable estimate for this position is $96,700 - $151, 900.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Fall 2026
Position duration: This is a one-year term with the possiblity of renewal, contingent on performance and availability of funding.
Application Window
Open date: August 7, 2026
Next review date: Friday, Aug 21, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Thursday, Oct 1, 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 School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley seeks an Assistant/Associate Researcher. The incumbent is expected to initiate and lead research activities that focus on expanding family access to high-quality child care and pre-kindergarten (pre-K) opportunities in Los Angeles County. Faculty in the Berkeley School of Education are partnering with local agencies to advance research that informs the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs that improve access to early childhood education.
The Assistant/Associate Researcher will conduct independent and collaborative research. The research program examines barriers to expanding access to child care and pre-kindergarten by integrating, managing, and analyzing large administrative and survey datasets to generate evidence that informs research, practice, and public policy.
The Assistant/Associate Researcher will independently and collaboratively design, conduct, and disseminate original research; lead or contribute to multidisciplinary research projects; develop and implement research methodologies; manage, integrate, and analyze complex administrative and survey datasets; interpret and communicate research findings through scholarly publications, technical reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other research products; contribute to grant proposal development and externally funded research activities; collaborate with faculty, research staff, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and external partners; mentor research staff and trainees, as appropriate; disseminate research findings to academic, practitioner, and policy audiences; and perform other research-related duties consistent with the responsibilities of the Academic Researcher Series.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• PhD degree or equivalent international degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Three years or more of post-PhD research experience

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in economics, public policy, or a related social science field
• Experience in conducting original work on the supply, quality, and/or cost of childcare options at the state level
• Knowledge of early education programs in California and Los Angeles County
• Experience with managing large data sets, conducting quasi-experimental studies to detect program effects, and knowledge of geocoded data and mapping displays
• Experience publishing scholarly research, technical reports, policy briefs, or other research products.
• Experience preparing or contributing to competitive grant proposals and securing external research funding.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05492
Help contact: kleviege@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.
Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
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.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Berkeley, CA