"Junior Specialist / Assistant Specialist - Economics - Department of Economics"

Position overview

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale(s) for this position: link. The current full time base salary for this position is $55,000 - $63,500. 'Off-scale' salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: 06/01/2026

Position duration: 1 Year with the possibility of reappointment

Application Window

Open date: December 11, 2025

Next review date: Friday, Dec 26, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Jan 12, 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

This position will assist Professor Stefano DellaVigna with research at the forefront of Behavioral, Public, and Labor Economics. The position entails analyzing public and private datasets using quasi-experimental methods, assisting with literature reviews, helping set-up and analyze online surveys and online experiments, and using computational techniques to test predictions of economic theory and to evaluate public policies. The incumbent will perform data analysis using statistical packages such as Stata or Python and perform numerical simulations using languages such as Matlab. Will utilize collaborative tools like GitHub to manage projects and tasks. The incumbent will meet regularly (typically, daily) with Professor DellaVigna to discuss the findings and get feedback. This position will help prepare the researcher for applying to graduate programs in economics. Previous incumbents have moved on to top PhD programs in economics (MIT, Harvard, Berkeley).

Duties will include:

• Assists with research at the forefront of Behavioral, Public, and Labor Economics by analyzing public and private datasets using quasi-experimental methods. Conducts data construction, analysis and processing.
• Performs data analysis using statistical packages such as STATA and Python and perform numerical simulations using languages such as Matlab.
• Uses LLMs to classify and label data.
• Performs reviews of relevant literatures in economics and related disciplines, and related policy briefs.
• Helps set up online surveys and online experiments.
• Writes up description of findings and results in GitHub postings.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application): Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) program.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start): Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree).

Preferred qualifications:

• Background in economics and programming in languages such as Python, Stata and R
• Basic communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Proficient in ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality
• Demonstrates ability to analyze, research and synthesize large amounts of data with strong attention to detail
• Basic program and project management skills
• Preferred Skills to learn project management software such as Github.

Application Requirements

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Copy of Undergraduate Degree Transcript

Reference requirements: 1-2 required (contact information only)