"PostDoctoral Scholar -- Goldman School of Public Policy"

Position overview

Position title: POSTDOC Employee

Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. See Table 23 for the current salary scale(s) for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $80,000-$95,000.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: July 1, 2026

Position duration: The initial appointment is for two years

Application Window

Open date: March 26, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Apr 30, 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

The Possibility Lab, led by Professor Amy Lerman at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar in political science, sociology, economics or a related field with a focus on applied public policy, social inequality, civic engagement, and/or racial justice. The Possibility Lab is comprised of a team of policy researchers and practitioners who work with state and local partners to design, pilot, and scale new models of community participation for public-sector problem solving.

Projects cover a range of topics, from criminal justice to housing and public health policy, with a focus on community-engaged public policy research that is co-designed in collaboration with government and community partners using evidence-based and rigorous research methods. These partnerships follow our Lab's IMPACT model, which provides a step-by step, iterative process to guide government agencies who want to work hand-in-hand with communities to address pressing social issues. We thrive on exploring a range of possibilities in partnership with diverse communities and identifying evidence-based strategies for addressing nuanced and complex public-sector problems.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Provides thought-leadership and technical guidance to design, implement and evaluate instruments, tools and training related to lab research projects and initiatives.
• Designs, coordinates and conducts research studies of broad complexity and impact.
• Manages high-level external partner relationships and project management for assigned projects.
• Contributes to formulation and prioritization of interventions based on data. Provides consultation, mentorship and technical guidance on this work.
• Designs studies and data collection tools in partnership with government and non-government partners. Provides technical assistance on data management and use of research data to analyze and interpret findings. Manages data to ensure replicability of research findings.
• Develops and makes presentations of research findings. Documents procedures to institutionalize best practices in community engagement research methods, data management, data analysis, presentation of findings, and collaborating with partners.

The position is a full-time mentored research opportunity, with expectations to collaborate with Possibility Lab faculty, faculty affiliates, and research staff on current and new research projects. Successful candidates will have a strong proven interest in applied research that helps to inform and support public-sector leaders in advancing social justice, equity, and civic engagement.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
- PhD (or equivalent international degree).
- No more than three years of post-doctoral research experience at the time of appointment start date.

Preferred qualifications
- Experience in public service, public policy, and/or community organizing.
- Experience with project management across multiple workstreams and staff reports.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to stay organized and meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrating ability to form and maintain positive and professional working relationships with colleagues, students, staff members and practitioner partners.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
* Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
* Cover Letter - 1-2 page cover letter that summarizes research interests and professional goals

Reference requirements
* 3-5 required (contact information only)

About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service... [abbreviated for brevity, full text in original]

Job location
Berkeley, CA