Senior Research Scholar (6257U) - #80473

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Departmental Overview

The Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) has 30 ladder rank faculty, 12 emeriti faculty, more than 70 staff members, and more than 30 academic Lecturers. It occupies seven buildings (both on and off-campus) with more than 40,000 assignable square feet; within those buildings are eight classrooms and more than 100 offices.

The School is primarily a graduate school, with four degree programs at the graduate level: the Masters of Public Policy (MPP); a Self-Supporting Degree Program - the Masters of Public Affairs (MPA); the Masters of Development Practice (MDP); and our PhD program in Public Policy. Its annual budget is approximately $40M, made up of revenue sources such as current use and endowed philanthropy funds, contracts and grants, supplemental tuition from the MDP and MPP programs, self-supporting degree revenue from the MPA, and state funding.

The School is home to more than 10 research centers led by GSPP faculty: the Institute for Research on Labor Economics; the Center for Studies on Higher Ed; the Center for Environmental Public Policy; the Berkeley Institute for Young Americans; the Center on Civility and Democratic Engagement; the Global Policy Lab; the Possibility Lab; the Center for Security in Politics; the Berkeley Risk & Security Lab; the Berkeley Opportunity Lab; the California Policy Lab; the India Energy and Climate Center; the Risk and Resilience Research Lab, and others.

GSPP enrolls more than 1500 undergraduates annually in elective classes, and has more than 600 students in its undergraduate minor. The School has approximately 330 Master's degree candidates, 20 PhD students, and more than 3,000 alumni. GSPP hires more than 60 graduate student instructors, readers, lecturers and graduate student researchers annually. Its constituency also includes parents, friends and a number of organizations representing state, federal and local government and policy organizations. Former UC President Emerita Janet Napolitano is a ladder rank faculty member at the School, and she has expanded the research in Security Policy, as well as enabling connections with heads of state and former heads of state, both in the United States and abroad.

GSPP has been ranked first among Policy Analysis schools in the US for more than 20 years by US News and World Report. GSPP is also consistently ranked as one of the top graduate schools of Social Policy, and ranked fourth nationally in the fields of Public Affairs and Environmental Policy & Management.

The Berkeley Risk & Security Lab (BRSL) at the UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy is an academic research center focused on the intersection of technology and security. The Lab conducts analytical research, designs and fields wargames, and engages with policy-makers and stakeholders in government, private industry, and civil society. A common theme throughout our research is examining how new technologies and capabilities-from dual-use technologies to those designed for military applications-might impact strategic stability and the prospects for international peace and security.

Position Summary

Knows about state government, especially California; skilled at synthesizing material from diverse research studies; strong writing and social science skills; experience with surveys or related forms of data collection. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 08/27/2025.

Responsibilities

Research

• Approximately 60% of the research scholar's time will be dedicated towards original research, including: research design; authoring and co-authoring BRSL reports, op-eds, and peer-reviewed publications; compiling literature reviews; and conducting data collection and analysis.

Research Workshops and Event Coordination

• Approximately 20% of the research scholar's time will be dedicated towards designing and leading workshops focused on the scholar's, and the lab's, research agenda, as well as organizing other research focused in-person and virtual events.

Attending Workshops, Conferences, and Other External Engagements

• Approximately 10% of the research scholar's time will be dedicated to attending workshops, conferences, and other external engagements related to their research agenda.

Policy Engagement

• Approximately 5% of the research scholar's time will be dedicated to engaging with and briefing policy makers and other key research stakeholders.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• This position is required to do annual mandated training.
• This position is not eligible for 100% remote work.
• Occasional travel and/or evening and weekend hours may be required.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of both the technical and the policy landscape of artificial intelligence, as well as working knowledge of international security.
• Demonstrated quantitative skills, knowledge, and experience in data/statistical analysis, including analyzing large governmental data sets.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, Java, or C++.
• Ability to communicate complex academic information in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Solid interpersonal skills and collaboration skills.
• Experience with AI risk, governance, safety, and red-teaming research, as well as previous collaboration with technical teams assessing the capabilities and vulnerabilities of AI systems.
• 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.
• Experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, economics, sociology, public policy, or other relevant social/mathematical science field and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to create visual and graphic elements: charts, graphs, trend lines-for reports and press releases.
• Experience managing projects and client relationships.
• Experience working on randomized controlled trials.
• Demonstrated experience with public speaking and presentations.
• 5-6 years of experience with AI risk, governance, safety, and red-teaming research, as well as previous collaboration with technical teams assessing the capabilities and vulnerabilities of AI systems.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $91,500.00 - $126,400.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"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. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.