Recruit
PostDoctoral Scholar Employee - Goldman School of Public Policy
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: September 4, 2026
Next review date: Friday, Sep 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Jan 4, 2027 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
Professor Caitlin Patler at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy (Goldman School) is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join a research program focused on immigrant families, children, and communities, and the consequences of U.S. immigration policy. The position is embedded within the Empirical Research Hub to Protect Children in Immigrant Families, co-led by Professor Chloe East at University of Colorado, Boulder, in partnership with the Children Thrive Action Network.
The Postdoctoral Scholar will pursue a portfolio of activities spanning three areas:
Causal Research:
The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to original, peer-reviewed research using rigorous causal inference methods. Projects will examine the effects of U.S. immigration policy on immigrant families, children, and communities, drawing on administrative data, surveys, and/or other large-scale datasets. The postdoc will have latitude to develop independent research directions within this substantive scope.
Rapid-Response Policy Research:
The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to time-sensitive research and analysis in response to emerging policy developments. This may include, e.g., producing policy briefs, data summaries, and other accessible research products for non-academic audiences.
Scholar Hub Coordination:
The postdoctoral scholar will assist with coordination of hub activities. Coordination duties may include, e.g., organizing convenings, supporting communications and dissemination, facilitating collaboration across hub members, and tracking and synthesizing research outputs.
The postdoctoral scholar will receive mentorship and career development support from the project PIs and collaborators. There will be ample opportunities for co-authored publications and engagement with policy and advocacy communities
Qualifications
• Ph.D. or equivalent international degree, or enrollment in a Ph.D. (or equivalent international) program.
Ph.D. (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date
No more than three years of post-degree research experience by the start date.
• PhD. in economics, sociology, demography, public policy, or an adjacent social science discipline
• Advanced skills in causal inference methods (e.g., difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, synthetic control)
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills and experience working with large-scale administrative or survey datasets
• Demonstrated interest or experience with research or other work in immigration policy, immigrant families, or immigrant communities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to translate research for policy and practitioner audiences
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-based environment
• Prior research experience on U.S. immigration policy, immigrant families, or immigrant communities
• Experience with additional methods of policy evaluation, e.g., machine learning, text analysis, mixed methods, qualitative research
• Experience producing public-facing research summaries for non-academic audiences
• Experience with project management, mentoring research assistants, or coordinating multi-stakeholder teams
• Familiarity with practitioner, advocacy, or government partners working on immigration issues
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter - Please describe your research agenda (up to 2 pages), with attention to how it connects to this position's substantive focus and methods requirements
Writing Sample - a published or working paper that best demonstrates your causal inference expertise (may be sole-authored or co-authored; please indicate your contribution if co-authored
- 3 required (contact information only)
Please provide contact information for three academic references.
Help contact: patler@berkeley.edi
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