The California Policy Lab (CPL) 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, poverty, criminal justice reform, and education inequality. At its Berkeley site, CPL resides as a center within the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE).

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.

CPL is the research partner for the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code (CRPC) and we are seeking an early career professional to join our CRPC research team. The Committee is a state entity that studies and recommends changes to all aspects of California’s criminal laws — from policing to sentencing to reentry and more. The Committee’s recommendations, based on CPL’s research, aim to simplify criminal law and procedure, establish alternatives to incarceration, and improve the parole and probation system. Committee recommendations have been enacted through 21 bills in the California Legislature that have become law.

This position presents an exciting opportunity to help improve the criminal justice system in California. The Research Manager is the day-to-day project manager on CRPC projects and works closely with the principal investigators of the research team and the CRPC staff. The ideal Research Manager has demonstrated project management skills, including meeting facilitation, managing project timelines, and communicating with internal and external stakeholders. They have experience using Excel and statistical software, such as Stata, R, or Python, to conduct descriptive data analyses. Experience building dashboards and data visualizations using Tableau, PowerBi or similar software is preferred. The Research Manager is able to take initiative and learn new skills quickly. They work well in a team setting and have strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written. Subject area knowledge of the criminal system and/or criminal justice administrative data is strongly preferred. Prior experience submitting Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, managing grants, and working with Salesforce or similar content management system is also desirable.

The position will be based at our UC Berkeley office, with the option of working remotely up to two days per week. The position may require some travel to Sacramento to build and maintain relationships with state government partners. The Research Manager will report to Researcher Alissa Skog and will work closely with Research Director Dr. Johanna Lacoe and the other CRPC Principal Investigators, the CRPC Legal Director, and CPL’s talented research staff.

● Bachelor’s degree in computer science, economics, sociology, public policy, or other relevant social/mathematical science field or equivalent training.

● Ability to coordinate project team activities, set deadlines and deliverables, and ensure successful completion.

● Ability to conduct data analysis and create data visualizations under the guidance of the principal investigators of the research team and CRPC staff.

● Ability to manage relationships with government partners, including regular engagement and client management, troubleshooting issues, and being the main CPL point of contact for those partners.

● Ability to work with principal investigators of the research team to support implementation of evaluations of public programs, including randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-experiments.

● Ability to coordinate the request, transfer, & analysis of data, with supervision.

● Ability to co-author reports, analyses, and other publications for partners, the public, and other audiences.

● Ability to prepare grant proposals in concert with leadership and principal investigators.

● Ability to take initiative and manage projects with minimal supervision, including strong time management skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.

● Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including exceptional writing skills.

● Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

● Ability to work both independently and as a team member.

● Ability to work discreetly with sensitive and confidential data.

● Ability to develop subject-matter expertise at CPL on policy areas related to their portfolio of research projects.

● Demonstrated commitment to fostering equitable practices, reducing structural barriers, and promoting inclusive environments within programs, policies, or services.

● Masters in public policy, criminology, economics, statistics, or related field, or 2 years of relevant post-baccalaureate work experience.

● Subject area knowledge of the criminal justice system and/or criminal justice administrative data.

● Experience building dashboards and data visualizations using Tableau or PowerBI (or similar software).

● Experience managing IRBs and grants.

● Experience with Salesforce or similar content management system.

This is a 2-year, full-time (40 hours/week), contract appointment, eligible for UC benefits with the possibility of extension. This is an exempt position, which is paid monthly at an annual rate.

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 $72,600 -$100,800.

Go to  and click “External Applicants” (or “Internal” if you’re a current UC Berkeley employee) and then search for keyword “77569”, which is the job ID. To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

● This position is not eligible for those requiring visa sponsorship.

● This position is eligible for up to 40% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

● This position will require the successful completion of a criminal background check in order to gain access to data.

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

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California’s Affirmative action policy

The University of California’s Anti-Discrimination policy