Job Description

Policy Researcher/Senior Policy Researcher, Green Economy Program (Associate/Full Specialist) – UC Berkeley Labor Center

Position overview
Position title: Policy Researcher/Senior Policy Researcher
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t24-b.pdf. A reasonable full-time salary estimate for this position is $75,600-$128,400.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Spring 2026
Position duration: 1 year, with the possibility of extension based on funding and performance

Application Window
Open date: April 5, 2026
Next review date: Monday, Apr 20, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Jul 1, 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

Department Overview
The UC Berkeley Labor Center, at the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE), UC Berkeley, 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. 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. We have nearly 40 diverse staff members.

Position Description
The UC Berkeley Labor Center, at the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE), UC Berkeley, has an opening for a Policy Researcher or Senior Policy Researcher in its Green Economy Program, which may be hired at the Associate or Full Specialist rank, depending on years of work experience and educational background.

The Policy Researcher/Senior Policy Researcher will contribute to the Program’s research on workforce standards and strategies related to the energy transition, and worker-led approaches to economic development and industrial policy aimed at building the green economy. The position will involve significant collaboration with unions, environmental organizations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders at the state and federal level to advance a worker-led clean energy agenda.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct policy research and analysis, and collaborate on developing new policy models related to workforce standards, economic development, and industrial policy
• Serve as co-author and/or lead author on policy research reports and briefing memos; draft op-eds and public testimony
• Contribute to technical assistance efforts for stakeholders, policymakers, and media
• Support outreach, relationship-building, and collaboration with partner organizations
• Identify new research projects and collaboration opportunities
• Support curriculum development and deliver trainings
• Supervise and mentor student workers

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Department: https://irle.berkeley.edu/
Unit: 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 + 5 years experience OR Master’s + 3 years experience

Full Specialist
Bachelor’s degree + 10 years experience OR Master’s + 8 years experience OR PhD + 2 years experience

Preferred qualifications

• Master’s degree with 3+ years of public policy analysis experience
• Experience with policy research, legislation tracking, and policy evaluation
• Familiarity with labor, climate/energy, industrial policy, or economic development
• Experience collaborating with unions and stakeholders
• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills
• Strong policy writing skills
• Project management experience and ability to handle confidential information

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample #1
• Writing Sample #2 (lead author and/or climate/labor focused)

(Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3–5 references (contact information only)

Click here to apply

Help contact: laurel.lucia@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 https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/4400.html and University of California Academic Personnel policy (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf). These values are embedded in our https://chancellor.berkeley.edu/about/principles-community.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer.

For more information:
https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Confidentiality policy:
http://apo.berkeley.edu/ucb-confidentiality-policy

Additional policies and requirements apply, including compliance with applicable laws and disclosure obligations.

• “Misconduct” includes violations such as harassment, discrimination, or related policies
• https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH
• https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
• https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf

Job location
Berkeley, CA; Eligible for 3 days remote work

How to Apply

Click here to apply

Job Categories: Environmental. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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