Temporary Machine Learning Postdoc Jobs in California

Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar Employee
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay at appointment. See the following table for the current postdoctoral scholar salary scales: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf The current full-time salary range for post doc positions is $69,073 - $82,836. A reasonable estimate for this postdoctoral scholar position is $69,073 to $77,030. Final salary will be commensurate with level of experience.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: August 21, 2026
Position duration: This position is funded for two years with possible renewal.
Application Window
Open date: February 2, 2026
Most recent review date: Friday, Sep 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date: Friday, Oct 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 Institute for Business and Social Impact at UC Berkeley seeks to hire a postdoctoral scholar who applies pioneering, rigorous empirical analysis to policy-relevant questions in applied economics, development, mental health, labor, or closely related fields.
We are especially interested in candidates whose work combines empirical causal inference, administrative or large-scale data, and topics related to development, labor markets, mental health (broadly defined, e.g., measurement, interventions, behavioral mechanisms, digital or light-touch mental health tools), or behavioral economics. We welcome applicants with strong foundations in empirical methods in economics and/or experience designing, implementing, or overseeing large-scale randomized controlled trials.
The ideal postdoctoral scholar will have demonstrated excellence in using modern empirical methods-including econometrics, experimental and quasi-experimental techniques, and/or machine learning approaches for prediction and causal inference-to study policy-relevant questions in development, labor, mental health, or related fields. We seek a postdoctoral scholar who bridges applied microeconomics with behavioral and mental-health insights, using empirical and machine-learning tools to study social and economic policy.
Duties of Position:
The position offers direct engagement in new and exciting research opportunities and personal mentorship from faculty and researchers on the team. The postdoctoral scholar will gain an expanded network of collaborators and become a member of the UC Berkeley research community by actively participating in seminar series and internal workshops to present and receive feedback on their work.
The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to join and develop a research agenda in collaboration with their supervisor and Faculty Director, Paul Gertler, along with Laura Chioda, IBSI's Chief Data Scientist, and IBSI's network of researchers.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in a Ph.D. or equivalent international degree program at the time of application.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
• Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree) by the start date.
• No more than three years of post-degree research experience.
Preferred qualifications
Ph.D. holders in economics and related fields specializing in applied microeconomics, development, mental health, or behavioral economics are invited to apply.
We particularly encourage applications from postdoctoral scholars whose work integrates theory-driven mechanisms with rigorous empirical analysis, including field experiments (RCTs) or the use of large-scale administrative datasets. Experience developing research projects in collaboration with non-academic stakeholders-such as NGOs, governments, or industry partners-is highly valued.
Preferred Technical & Professional Skills
• Advanced Programming: Proficiency in R, Stata, and/or Python.
• Computational Expertise: Familiarity with machine-learning methods for prediction and causal inference, including experience with unstructured data.
• Quantitative Foundation: Strong skills in econometrics and statistics, backed by advanced doctoral coursework.
• Data Management: Excellent organizational capabilities and experience managing complex datasets.
• Communication & Collaboration: Fluency in English with the ability to communicate research findings clearly and work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
Professionalism: High degree of self-motivation, flexibility, and the ability to manage multiple workstreams efficiently.
Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample - Job Market Paper or one PhD dissertation chapter- or article length writing sample.
• Research Agenda - A 1-page summary of your research agenda non-technical language, suitable for a broad audience outside of your discipline

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

References should be from individuals who are familiar with the applicant's written work and qualifications for the position.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05250
Help contact: dbeausoleil@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