PostDoctoral Scholar Employee - Goldman School of Public Policy

University of California at Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California at Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy, seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to advance a research program focused on immigrant families, children, and the consequences of U.S. immigration policy.

The position sits within the Empirical Research Hub to Protect Children in Immigrant Families, a collaboration with partners at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The Postdoctoral Scholar will pursue activities spanning causal research, rapid-response policy research, and hub

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent international degree, or enrollment in a Ph.D. program.

Responsibilities

• Causal Research: contribute to peer‑reviewed research using rigorous causal inference methods on immigration policy effects.
• Rapid-Response Policy Research: produce policy briefs and data summaries for non-academic audiences in a timely manner.
• Scholar Hub Coordination: organize convenings, support communications, and track research outputs; mentorship and collaboration across hub members.

Skills

Causal inference

Policy analysis

Academic writing

Project coordination

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent

Enrollment in Ph.D. program

Job description

Professor Caitlin Patler at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy (Goldman School) is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join a research program focused on immigrant families, children, and communities, and the consequences of U.S. immigration policy. The position is embedded within the Empirical Research Hub to Protect Children in Immigrant Families, co-led by Professor Chloe East at University of Colorado, Boulder, in partnership with the Children Thrive Action Network.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will pursue a portfolio of activities spanning three areas:

Causal Research:
The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to original, peer-reviewed research using rigorous causal inference methods. Projects will examine the effects of U.S. immigration policy on immigrant families, children, and communities, drawing on administrative data, surveys, and/or other large-scale datasets. The postdoc will have latitude to develop independent research directions within this substantive scope.

Rapid-Response Policy Research:
The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to time-sensitive research and analysis in response to emerging policy developments. This may include, e.g., producing policy briefs, data summaries, and other accessible research products for non-academic audiences.

Scholar Hub Coordination:
The postdoctoral scholar will assist with coordination of hub activities. Coordination duties may include, e.g., organizing convenings, supporting communications and dissemination, facilitating collaboration across hub members, and tracking and synthesizing research outputs.

The postdoctoral scholar will receive mentorship and career development support from the project PIs and collaborators. There will be ample opportunities for co-authored publications and engagement with policy and advocacy communities

• Ph.D. or equivalent international degree, or enrollment in a Ph.D. (or equivalent international) program.