About the California Policy Lab
The California Policy Lab generates research insights for government impact. Through hands-on partnerships with government agencies, CPL performs rigorous research across issue silos and builds the data infrastructure necessary to improve programs and policies that millions of Californians rely on every day. We work on California’s most urgent issues, including homelessness, unemployment, poverty, criminal justice reform, and education inequality. We facilitate close working partnerships between policymakers and researchers at the University of California to help evaluate and improve public programs through rigorous empirical research and technical assistance.
CPL recognizes the value of having a diverse staff at all levels of the organization. We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent and understand the diverse racial and ethnic, gender identity, sexual orientation, educational, socioeconomic, cultural, and disability backgrounds present in California. When you join our team, you can expect to be part of an inclusive and equity-focused community.
The position
This is an exciting role for a mid- or advanced-career Researcher (UCLA title “Project Scientist”) who wants to design and conduct policy-relevant research in partnership with state and local agencies in California. The administrative data available for research includes roughly two decades worth of linked employer-employee earnings and unemployment insurance (UI) claims microdata for the universe of UI-covered jobs in California, as well as CPL’s other extensive data holdings.
The ideal candidate has expertise in labor economics, workforce development, or the social safety net. The Researcher conducts quantitative research, including conceptualizing research questions and designs; overseeing the requesting, receiving, and cleaning of data files; creating and overseeing the implementation of analysis plans; conducting quality assurance reviews; summarizing results in documents for both academic and policy audiences; and generating replicability documentation. The Researcher can implement and defend multiple causal research designs, including randomized control trials, quasi-experimental designs, and non-experimental designs. The Researcher will also design, supervise, and implement descriptive analyses and other observational statistical analyses. The Researcher will write grant proposals to support research tasks and contribute to grant reporting.
The Researcher will also supervise junior staff. A successful candidate has demonstrated experience managing research projects, supervising research teams, assigning tasks, mentoring junior staff, and supporting professional development of team members. The position will report to the Faculty Director and will work directly with leading social policy researchers at UC and beyond, state and local government agency staff, and CPL’s leadership team. This position could be fulfilled either remotely, or in a hybrid manner, with some in-person meetings.
Principal Responsibilities
● Conduct quantitative research, including conceptualizing research questions and design; creating and implementing analysis plans; requesting, receiving, and cleaning data files; conducting quality assurance reviews; summarizing results in documents for both academic and policy audiences; and generating replicability documentation.
● Annually publish multiple reports and policy briefs based on research.
● Implement multiple research designs and analysis techniques, including but not limited to randomized control trials, quasi-experimental designs, and non-experimental designs, including descriptive and correlational analyses.
● Lead research teams, write proposals to support research projects, and ensure timely and high-quality completion of research tasks.
● Supervise research staff, including making decisions regarding hiring and promotions, providing professional development, assigning tasks, assessing progress, and other related tasks.
● Partner effectively with state and local agency staff to build a joint research agenda.
Basic Qualifications
● Ph.D. in economics, public policy, statistics, or related social science field, or equivalent experience.
● Knowledge of research or public policy in at least one of the following areas: labor economics, workforce development, or the social safety net.
● Knowledge of econometric research methods for causal inference, especially quasi-experimental design.
● Extensive experience in computer programming for statistical analysis, including fluency in data-analysis packages from at least one commonly used programming language like Stata, R, Python, SAS, or SQL.
● Experience working with large and complex datasets, including how to optimize analysis for efficiency.
● Experience writing research results for both technical and non-technical audiences.
● Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work both independently and as a team member.
● Knowledge of data management systems, practices, and standards.
● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
● Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
● Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
● Ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential data.
Preferred Qualifications
● Five or more years of professional experience, including three or more years of relevant post-baccalaureate research experience.
● Knowledge of research or public policy in two or more of the following research areas: homelessness, health, mental health, the social safety net, substance use, labor and employment, or criminal justice.
● Record of research and publication, including leading research design and analysis and writing for both academic and policy audiences.
● Experience supervising research staff.
● A demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity and inclusion through research, organizational culture, and external partnerships.
● Experience writing grant proposals, communicating with funders, and managing grant reporting.
● Experience managing research projects in an academic or think-tank environment.
● Experience collaborating with government agency partners.
To Apply
All applicants must apply online at UCRecruit by searching JPF10825. Based on recent hires we have made, we anticipate receiving a high number of applications and encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. The first review date is February 27, 2026. Candidates who pass an initial resume review will be invited for screening interviews. Candidates who advance will be invited for panel interviews. At the end of the process, finalists will give research presentations.
Salary & Benefits
This is a full-time position. The hiring range for this position is $120,000 – $160,000 annually, depending on experience. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html.
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, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information about your rights as an applicant see: https://www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants.
For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.
