Policy Researcher/Senior Policy Researcher, Health Care Program (Associate/Full Specialist)

Position overview

Position title: Policy Researcher/Senior Policy Researcher, Health Care Program

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by the rank and step at appointment. The current full-time base salary range for this position is $75,600 - $194,800.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Spring 2026

Position duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on funding and performance

Application Window

Open date: February 10, 2026

Most recent review date: Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Position description

Department Overview

The UC Berkeley Labor Center, at the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE), has an opening for a policy research specialist to join our dynamic organization at the forefront of research and education on the most pressing economic challenges affecting working families in California and communities across the country.

Position Description

The Policy Researcher will conduct policy-relevant research related to health coverage, health care affordability for workers and their families, and the health care workforce.

Position Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct policy-relevant qualitative and quantitative research on health coverage, health care affordability, and health care workforce issues in the state of California and nationally
• Provide technical assistance to stakeholders and policymakers on issues related to health care and labor and employment topics
• Serve as co-author or lead author on research reports and policy briefs
• Contributing to fundraising proposals for research projects
• Coordinate with researchers on other UC Campuses
• Engage the public via presentations, responding to media requests, authoring op-eds, and providing public testimony
• Support the Center's efforts to build a diverse generation of future labor researchers, including working with and/or supervising graduate student researchers