What are the responsibilities and job description for the PostDoctoral Scholar -- Goldman School of Public Policy position at University of California Berkeley?
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:
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)
None
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05306
Help contact: rwallace@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 UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy ( APM 210 1-d ). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community , which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
Job location
Berkeley, CA
To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05306
jeid-a9dcf5724bfa3b45bfc405cf2536caf6
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.
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)
None
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05306
Help contact: rwallace@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 UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy ( APM 210 1-d ). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community , which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
Job location
Berkeley, CA
To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05306
jeid-a9dcf5724bfa3b45bfc405cf2536caf6
Salary : $80,000 - $95,000