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Junior Specialist/Assistant Specialist - Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
Position overview
Position title: Research AssistantApplication Window
Open date: February 13, 2026
Next review date: Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Tuesday, Jun 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 Research Assistant will assist Professor Jesse Rothstein’s academic and policy research. Rothstein is a labor economist with joint appointments in the Goldman School of Public Policy and the Department of Economics. He serves as faculty director of the Center for Studies in Higher Education and the California Policy Lab.
The Research Assistant will be involved in projects on a range of topics in labor economics, higher education, and public policy, potentially including work on intergenerational mobility, the social safety net, educational pathways and outcomes, determinants of wages and employment, and labor market and education policy.
Duties will include:
- Cleans and prepares data sets, primarily from government sources, for analysis, using Stata and R.
- Analyzes research data; summarizes information; implements statistical approaches for labor economics and higher education research projects, under direct supervision.
- Prepares graphs, tables, and other displays of the results of research and analysis.
- Assists with preparation of reports and analyses, including gathering references, copyediting, and confirming internal consistency.
- Reviews academic and applied research, and prepares research collections for PI review.
- Assists with design, documentation, and implementation of quantitative empirical research studies.
- Assists in coordination of research projects, including management of data access agreements, publication agreements, and other administrative aspects of the projects.
- Assists in proposal writing.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Department: https://irle.berkeley.edu/
Unit: https://capolicylab.org/
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) program
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree).
- U.S. Census Special Sworn Status to access restricted-use data (or reasonably be able to obtain within 4 months of start date).
- Demonstrated knowledge of research function. Ability to perform research analysis duties.
- Demonstrated statistical analysis, systems programming, and database design skills to perform research analysis duties. Knowledge of Stata, or ability to learn Stata, strongly preferred.
- Ability to effectively manage time and see assigned parts of projects through to completion deadline.
- Skills to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and written.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including strong writing skills.
- Demonstrated interest in labor economics and higher education research.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Copy of Undergraduate Degree Transcript
- 3 required (contact information only)
Help contact: rothstein@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