Senior Policy Researcher

POSITION OVERVIEW
Position title: Senior Policy Researcher
Salary range: $74,500 to $125,000, commensurate with experience
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: January 2023
Position duration: 2 years

APPLICATION WINDOW
Open date: September 30, 2022

Most recent review date: Friday, Oct 14, 2022 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Sunday, Oct 30, 2022 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 UC Berkeley Labor Center has an opening for a senior policy researcher for a project focused on power structure analysis. The UC Berkeley Labor Center conducts research and education on issues related to labor and employment. The Labor Center’s curricula and leadership training serve to educate a diverse new generation of labor leaders. The Labor Center carries out policy relevant research on topics such as job quality and workforce development, and works with unions, policymakers and other stakeholders to develop innovative policy perspectives and programs. The Labor Center provides an important source of research and information on unions and the changing workforce for students, scholars, policymakers and the public.

The senior policy researcher will lead a small team of staff and student researchers to carry out power structure analyses in selected labor markets, develop methods to measure power of institutional actors, and tools to equip practitioners in the field. The team will be collaborating to produce a book, a manual and a training curriculum for how workers and the poor can come to better understand and successfully navigate the official, complex structures of power that socially embed every labor market, as well as the less visible, often hidden power structures impacting their lives.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a high-impact, high-visibility organization and to work with a nationally-recognized team of researchers, policy analysts, and educators.

Responsibilities include:

• Directing a staff person and a small team of graduate student researchers in:
  • collecting, compiling, and analyzing workforce demographics data
  • identifying and working with large data sets including campaign finance reports, voter data, audited financial statements, etc.
  • carrying out qualitative research including interviews with key stakeholders, and summarizing findings from interviews
  • managing, organizing and tracking interviews and research
•  Working with the Principal Investigator in refining the power structure analysis methodology and developing methods to measure power
• Contribute to writing a book, manual and training curricula
• Coordinating with outside stakeholders and practitioners

UC Berkeley Labor Center: https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/ 

QUALIFICATIONS
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Associate Specialist:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree and at least five (5) years of professional experience OR
• Master’s degree or equivalent international degree and at least three (3) years of professional experience

Full Specialist:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree and at least ten (10) years of professional experience OR
• Master’s degree or equivalent international degree and at least eight (8) years of professional experience OR
• PhD or equivalent international degree and at least two (2) years of professional experience

Preferred qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent degree in Public Policy, Labor Studies, Sociology, Economics, Geography, City and Regional Planning or related field
• Ten years relevant experience in labor market power analysis
• Established track record of conducting corporate, industry and electoral research
• Strong quantitative skills and experience in using large datasets and/or strong qualitative research skills and experience
• Comprehensive understanding of existing relevant databases
• Advanced writing and communication skills
• Experience working with unions and/or worker centers
• Proven ability to work independently and creatively
• Ability to work well within a team

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Writing Sample #1

Writing Sample #2

Reference requirements
3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03634
Help contact: aalexander@berkeley.edu