Description

The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA), headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley, seeks an outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar (postdoc) to support the creation of the Impact Data and Evidence Aggregation Library (IDEAL)—a fully open-access library where users can search, compare, and visualize relative effect sizes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on a range of outcomes and for many different policy interventions across countries and contexts. The postdoc will report to CEGA’s co-Faculty Director Edward Miguel, collaborate closely with CEGA affiliate Graeme Blair, and manage a large team of researchers for pilot data extraction.

Key Responsibilities

The postdoc will collaborate with Professor Miguel, Professor Graeme Blair (UCLA), and co-investigators in economics and political science from CEGA’s academic network to develop IDEAL. The work will begin with a pilot in which the candidate will oversee the extraction of a minimum set of fields for a curated initial set of 1,000 studies, and develop protocols for the library’s ongoing growth and maintenance. The postdoc will oversee a team of 5-10 research associates, providing them with regular technical input and managing their workflow. The postdoc will also coordinate with the other engaged research teams at the World Bank, University of Toronto, and Northwestern’s Global Poverty Research Lab (GPRL). In addition, the postdoc will help design the platform that researchers and policymakers will use to query the resulting data and support the identification of (and engagement with) potential policy partners. The postdoc would be encouraged to spend 33% of their time on individual research pursuits.

Required Qualification:

•  A PhD in Political Science, Economics, Statistics, or a related field at the time of starting the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Existing research agenda, with record of academic publication, related to international development, evidence aggregation, and/or the design of randomized experiments.
• 1-3 years experience conducting empirical research on development topics, with an in-depth understanding of experimental design and analysis;
• 1-3 years experience and competency with statistical software packages (Stata, R, and/or Python) and data collection platforms (e.g., SurveyCTO), and ability to render accurate statistical analysis;
• 1-3 years experience translating complex material/research to broad, non-technical audiences;
• 1-3 years experience managing large research teams;
• Ability to independently investigate solutions to technical problems;
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific findings into accessible, non-technical language (via publications or professional presentations);
• Ability to work well with teams, and communicate effectively with colleagues and faculty.
• Ability to interact with individuals at all levels in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, while remaining flexible, proactive, tactful, resourceful, and efficient, and with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Salary and Benefits

This is a two-year full-time position with possibility for extension pending funding. Starting annual salary for this position is set at $90,000 and standard UC Berkeley postdoc benefits will be provided.

To Apply:

Please submit the following documents through the link below:

• CV
• Cover letter
• Writing Sample (length doesn't matter, must demonstrate expertise in social science experimental research)
• PhD Transcript