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Associate/Full Specialist at UC Berkeley Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences (BITSS)

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Position description

Seeking outstanding applicants for the position of Associate/Full Specialist, BITSS. The Associate/Full Specialist will serve as an essential part of a research team to advance the transparency of empirical social science research. Headquartered at the Center for Effective Global Action at UC Berkeley, BITSS is a new effort to promote the integrity, replicability, and validity of empirical social science research. The program is fostering an active network of social science researchers and institutions committed to strengthening transparency in economics, political science, behavioral science, and related disciplines. Central to BITSS is the identification and evaluation of strategies or tools to improve research transparency, including study registries, pre-analysis plans, data archiving and sharing platforms, and replications. The Principal Investigator is Edward Miguel, Oxfam Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley.

The Associate/Full Specialist position offers an opportunity to work closely with faculty and gain first-hand management experience in a research transparency program that cross-cuts diverse disciplines. One of the principle responsibilities of this position will be to develop curricula for the BITSS summer institute, an intensive, hands-on workshop outlining the latest trends in the shift towards increased transparency, and the different tools and techniques that are available and appropriate for social science research. The position will oversee the design of the overall course and ensure continuity with content provided by faculty and practitioners recruited by the Associate/Full Specialist. Other salient tasks include, but are not limited to: synthesizing literature, conducting systematic reviews of ongoing research and drafting manuscripts for publications; supporting the development and sharing of pre-analysis plans and other approaches for enhancing the transparency of empirical research; overseeing technical assistance provision in the use of new tools to BITSS affiliates and participating PhD students (including the Open Science Framework); translating complex research, empirical analysis and technical concepts into clear, accessible formats for practitioners, policy-makers and other non-experts; writing project reports and memos; managing project budgets and personnel. Examples of expected outputs include publications, analyses of program results, summaries of related research and replicable training curricula.

Basic qualifications required at time of application:
• Master degree or equivalent in economics, social sciences, public health, public policy, development studies, or related fields.

Additional required qualifications:

• Familiarity with the management and analysis of empirical data in the social sciences, including experience with assessing and documenting data quality and implementing metadata standards.
• Broad knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the design and implementation of data collection and reporting systems.
• Thorough understanding of the Open Science Framework and its functions.
• Skills to analyze information (inputs) and synthesize data, with strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of trends in research and data transparency and interest in the value of improving the standards of rigor in empirical scientific research.

Preferred qualifications:
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and be responsive to time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to use discretion, particularly in interactions with collaborators and outside partners, and to maintain all confidentiality.
• Ability to use sound judgment in reporting or responding to issues and concerns.
• Ability to execute work independently while communicating effectively with colleagues and managers.

Salary range is $50,820 to $65,688, plus benefits, commensurate with training and experience. This is a full-time, one-year position, eligible for extension for an additional year.

Applications must be received by May 15, 2014. Anticipated start date of the position is August 1, 2014. Please address inquiries to Lauren Russell, Operations Manager, Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA), University of California Berkeley, laurenrussell@berkeley.edu.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.

The Department is interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their work.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter - Statement of Purpose

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)