Junior Specialist / Assistant Specialist - Economics - Department of Economics

Salary range:
The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the current

salary scale(s) for this position: (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t24-b.pdf). The current full time base salary for this position is $55,000 - $63,500. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time:
100%

Anticipated start:
06/01/2026

Position duration:
1 Year with the possibility of reappointment

This position will assist Professor Stefano DellaVigna with research at the forefront of Behavioral, Public, and Labor Economics. The position entails analyzing public and private datasets using quasi-experimental methods, assisting with literature reviews, helping set-up and analyze online surveys and online experiments, and using computational techniques to test predictions of economic theory and to evaluate public policies. The incumbent will perform data analysis using statistical packages such as Stata or Python and perform numerical simulations using languages such as Matlab. Will utilize collaborative tools like GitHub to manage projects and tasks. The incumbent will meet regularly (typically, daily) with Professor DellaVigna to discuss the findings and get feedback. This position will help prepare the researcher for applying to graduate programs in economics. Previous incumbents have moved on to top PhD programs in economics (MIT, Harvard, Berkeley).

Duties will include:

• Assists with research at the forefront of Behavioral, Public, and Labor Economics by analyzing public and private datasets using quasi-experimental methods. Conducts data construction, analysis and processing.
• Performs data analysis using statistical packages such as STATA and Python and perform numerical simulations using languages such as Matlab.
• Uses LLMs to classify and label data.
• Performs reviews of relevant literatures in economics and related disciplines, and related policy briefs.
• Helps set up online surveys and online experiments.
• Writes up description of findings and results in GitHub postings.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) program

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree).

Preferred qualifications

• Background in economics and programming in languages such as Python, Stata and R
• Basic communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Proficient in ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality
• Demonstrates ability to analyze, research and synthesize large amounts of data with strong attention to detail
• Basic program and project management skills
• Preferred Skills to learn project management software such as Github.

• 1-2 required (contact information only)

Apply link:
https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05225

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

Berkeley, CA