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Associate Researcher - California Child Welfare Indicators Project - School of Social Welfare

Job #JPF05546
  • Dept of Social Welfare / School of Social Welfare / UC Berkeley

Position overview

Salary range: The UC Academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by step at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale for this position: Table 13b. The current full-time base salary for this position is $120,300-151,900. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield higher compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered to meet competitive conditions.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Spring 2027
Position duration: 18 months, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding availability.

Application Window

Open date: September 15, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Oct 18, 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 Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley, seeks an Associate Researcher to work with Dr. Daniel Webster, Project Scientist and Principal Investigator for the California Child Welfare Indicators Project (CCWIP). The incumbent conducts independent research within CCWIP's Transition-Age Youth Research & Evaluation Hub (TAY-Hub), using linked administrative data spanning child welfare and related systems (e.g., education, health, justice). Responsibilities include: serving as principal investigator or co-investigator on policy- and practice-relevant studies; leading the conceptualization, design, and analysis of studies using complex linked administrative datasets; maintaining a strong record of peer-reviewed publication and co-authoring manuscripts, policy briefs, and presentations for academic and practice audiences; preparing and submitting research grants to federal agencies, foundations, or state partners and managing project budgets and sponsor reporting; overseeing IRB submissions, data use agreements, and related compliance for assigned projects; engaging state and county child welfare partners to support data-sharing, analysis, and program and policy evaluation; mentoring graduate student researchers, and disseminating findings to practice and policy audiences in accessible formats.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD (or equivalent international degree).

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
  • Minimum 3 years of post-doctoral research experience.
  • A record of peer-reviewed publications consistent with the Associate Researcher rank.
Preferred qualifications
  • Three to five years of post-doctoral research experience.
  • Demonstrated experience as principal investigator or co-investigator on externally funded research.
  • Deep knowledge of child welfare systems, services, and administrative data, with an emphasis on California.
  • Experience linking, managing, and analyzing complex administrative datasets across youth-serving systems.
  • Strong record of peer-reviewed publication and professional recognition in the field.
  • Experience partnering with government agencies and funders.
  • Experience mentoring graduate students and researchers.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Research Statement - 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
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05546

Help contact: d.schiller@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.

Job location

Berkeley, CA