Project Scientist, Homelessness and Health Policy

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks a mid- to advanced-career Researcher (Project Scientist) to design and conduct policy-relevant homelessness and health research in partnership with state/local agencies in California. You will leverage linked administrative data and supervise junior staff.

The role emphasizes causal inference, managing data pipelines, writing for policy and academic audiences, and grant-writing activities. Remote or hybrid work options available.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in economics, public policy, statistics, or related social science field.
• Knowledge of homelessness or health policy.
• Econometric methods for causal inference, esp. quasi-experimental design.
• Programming for statistical analysis (Stata, R, Python, SAS, or SQL).
• Experience with large health datasets (Medicaid or similar).
• Ability to write for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of data management systems and standards.
• Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct quantitative research; design and implement analysis plans; manage data lifecycle; ensure quality assurance and replication documentation.
• Annually publish multiple reports and policy briefs.
• Apply multiple research designs including RCTs and quasi-experimental methods; perform descriptive and correlational analyses.
• Lead research teams; write proposals; ensure timely completion of tasks.
• Supervise research staff; manage hiring, promotions, and professional development.
• Collaborate with state/local agencies to build a shared research agenda.

Education

Ph.D. in economics, public policy, statistics, or related social science

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Researcher for Homelessness and Health Policy

Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $160,000 . "Off‑scale salaries", i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Application Window

Open date: September 4, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Sep 25, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time).

Final date: Friday, Oct 9, 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

About the California Policy Lab

The California Policy Lab generates research insights for government impact. Through hands‑on partnerships with government agencies, CPL performs rigorous research across issue silos and builds the data infrastructure necessary to improve programs and policies that millions of Californians rely on every day. We work on California's most urgent issues, including homelessness, unemployment, poverty, criminal justice reform, and education inequality. We facilitate close working partnerships between policymakers and researchers at the University of California to help evaluate and improve public programs through rigorous empirical research and technical assistance.

CPL recognizes the value of having a diverse staff at all levels of the organization. We are looking for equity‑minded applicants who represent and understand the diverse racial and ethnic, gender identity, sexual orientation, educational, socioeconomic, cultural, and disability backgrounds present in California. When you join our team, you can expect to be part of an inclusive and equity‑focused community.

The Position

This is an exciting role for a mid- or advanced-career Researcher (UCLA title "Project Scientist") who wants to design and conduct policy‑relevant research in partnership with state and local agencies in California. Our team works closely with policymakers and people with lived experience of homelessness to develop our research agenda, and we leverage linked administrative data to help inform solutions to homelessness.

The ideal candidate has expertise in homelessness and health policy and data, with experience working with administrative health billing data and causal inference methodology. The Project Scientist conducts quantitative research, including conceptualizing research questions and designs; overseeing the requesting, receiving, and cleaning of data files; creating and overseeing the implementation of analysis plans; conducting quality assurance reviews; disseminating findings to policy and academic audiences; and generating replicability documentation. The Project Scientist can implement and defend multiple causal research designs, including randomized control trials, quasi‑experimental designs, and non‑experimental designs. The Researcher will also design, supervise, and implement descriptive analyses and other observational statistical analyses. The Project Scientist will write grant proposals to support research tasks and contribute to grant reporting.

The Project Scientist will also supervise junior staff. A successful candidate has demonstrated experience managing research projects, supervising research teams, assigning tasks, mentoring junior staff, and supporting the professional development of team members.

The position will report to the Faculty Director and will work directly with leading social policy researchers at UC and beyond, state and local government agency staff, and CPL's leadership team. This position could be fulfilled either remotely or in a hybrid manner, with some in‑person meetings.

Principal Responsibilities

• Conduct quantitative research, including conceptualizing research questions and design; creating and implementing analysis plans; requesting, receiving, and cleaning data files; conducting quality assurance reviews; summarizing results for both academic and policy audiences; and generating replicability documentation.
• Annually publish multiple reports and policy briefs based on research.
• Implement multiple research designs and analysis techniques, including but not limited to randomized control trials, quasi‑experimental designs, and non‑experimental designs, including descriptive and correlational analyses.
• Lead research teams, write proposals to support research projects, and ensure timely and high‑quality completion of research tasks.
• Supervise research staff, including making decisions regarding hiring and promotions, providing professional development, assigning tasks, assessing progress, and other related tasks.
• Partner effectively with state and local agency staff to build a joint research agenda.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Ph.D. in economics, public policy, statistics, or related social science field, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of research or public policy in homelessness or health.
• Knowledge of econometric research methods for causal inference, especially quasi‑experimental design.
• Extensive experience in computer programming for statistical analysis, including fluency in data‑analysis packages from at least one commonly used programming language like Stata, R, Python, SAS, or SQL.
• Experience working with large and complex datasets, especially Medicaid or other health billing data, including how to optimize analysis for efficiency.
• Experience writing research results for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Knowledge of data management systems, practices, and standards.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multi‑task with demanding timeframes.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential data.

Preferred qualifications

• Five or more years of professional experience, including three or more years of relevant post‑baccalaureate research experience.
• Knowledge of research or public policy in two or more of the following research areas: homelessness, mental health, substance use, the social safety net, labor and employment, or criminal justice.
• Record of research and publication, including leading research design and analysis and writing for both academic and policy audiences.
• Experience supervising research staff.
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity and inclusion through research, organizational culture, and external partnerships.
• Experience writing grant proposals, communicating with funders, and managing grant reporting.
• Experience managing research projects in an academic or think‑tank environment.
• Experience collaborating with government agency partners.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Reference check authorization release form – Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form
• UCLA Mission Statement – As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life‑saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)
• Writing Samples

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Candidates must supply the names and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted until the final stages of the interview process and only after the candidate has been notified that references will be contacted. Reference checks will be conducted by phone by member(s) of the search committee.

About UCLA

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.

The University of California 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, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Aff...

Job location

Los Angeles, CA