Senior Researcher (6610U) 73909

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.
Departmental Overview

The Possibility Lab at the University of California is a team of policy researchers and practitioners who partner with government and community to design, pilot, and scale data-driven innovations for the public good. We're a mix of faculty, full-time staff, and students who value integrity, rigor, curiosity, and communication. Together, we celebrate our wins, learn from our missteps, and help each other, and our partners, find solutions. Through our work, we are prototyping ideas with impact that can move us towards an equitable, sustainable future.

At the Possibility Lab, we believe that communities need to have a voice in the policies that affect them. We are part of a national movement to mobilize rigorous community-engaged, data-driven innovation for the public good. By facilitating on-going partnerships between public sector changemakers and academic research teams, we're able to undertake big questions that cut across traditional boundaries.

Projects cover a range of topics, including housing and public health policy, with a focus on data-driven public policy that is co-designed in collaboration with government and community partners. Visit https://possibilitylab.berkeley.edu/ for more information.

The Possibility Lab seeks an experienced Senior Researcher to lead projects and design research methods for partnerships with high-level state partners. The day-to-day responsibilities of the position include designing and executing complex research projects, managing high-level partnerships and stakeholder engagement, coordinating timelines and deliverables, and supervising research staff and student researchers.

This work involves overseeing all stages of collaborative and applied research, and project management. Activities include gathering, analyzing, and interpreting a wide variety of research data; designing and conducting research, including the selection and recruitment of samples for surveys and focus groups; developing research instruments and analyzing collected information using appropriate methods; collaborating and coordinating with government partners and communicating timely results and findings; developing and interpreting results, including policy and practical recommendations based on research findings; and preparing reports, charts, tables, and other visual aids to interpret and communicate data and results for diverse stakeholders.

This position is particularly focused on the state and local-level processes for coordinating the elements relevant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply if they have prior experience from a variety of backgrounds navigating CEQA processes for new development projects in California (or comparable knowledge/skills), which are required for success in this role.
Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is November 7, 2024
Responsibilities

• Provides thought-leadership and technical guidance to research team to design, implement and evaluate instruments, tools and training. Designs, coordinates and conducts research studies of broad complexity and impact. Research largely conducted as field experiments.
• Manages high-level external partner relationships. Manages assigns projects. Gathers, compiles and interprets research data. Contributes to formulation and prioritization of interventions based on data. Provides consultation, mentorship and technical guidance on this work.
• Drafts, edits and finalizes reports, policy briefs and articles with both academic framing and practical implications of research findings. Prepares presentations of research findings. Make presentations of research findings.
• Provides team leadership in evaluating and refining investigation methods. Leads investigations / studies for local or external constituents. Evaluates investigation methods and makes improvements as necessary.
• Designs research conducted as field experiments. Designs studies and data collection tools in partnership with government and non-government partners. Provides expert guidance on the research design most appropriate for project/program. Works collaboratively with government and non-government partners.
• Provides technical assistance on data management and use of research data to analyze and interpret findings. Manages data to ensure replicability of research findings. May document or develop procedures to institutionalize best practices in data management, data analysis and findings.
• Maintains professional expertise and conducts training on scientific research methods. Initiates internal trainings and mentorship of expertise in research methods. Makes presentations and attends conferences and events to collaborate with peers.
• May lead other research staff. Helps train, guide and mentor project team members. Promotes team building and cohesion. Provides constructive feedback.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced experience and knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process for developing new projects in California (or comparable knowledge/skills).
• Advanced ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.
• Advanced project management and organizational skills. Ability to lead and influence within and external to project team.
• Advanced research skills at a level to evaluate alternate solutions and develop recommendations.
• Advanced ability to think creatively to recommend action steps or strategize solutions relative to research.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with or in California state government.
• Master's degree or PhD in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Salary & Benefits

This is a one-year, full-time contract role. Extension is possible with continued funding. This position is eligible for up to 50% remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.

This position is eligible for full UC Benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $109,200 - $131,000, annually.
How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Equal Employment Opportunity

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, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.


To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=73909&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=21&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant