Postdoctoral Scholar, Data Privacy Lab

Postdoc: Data Privacy Lab

CEGA seeks an outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar to bring qualitative and/or design research expertise to the Data Privacy Lab's latest initiative. Through a series of real-world collaborations with partner organizations, CEGA will develop and deploy privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) in low- and middle- income country (LMIC) settings, using these experiences to create a privacy playbook that supports future organizations in navigating the complexities of applying PETs in practice. 

Description

The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is a hub for research, training and innovation headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. We generate insights that decision-makers can use to improve policies, programs, and people’s lives. Our best-in-class academic network includes nearly 200 faculty, 80 scholars from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—primarily from East and West Africa—and hundreds of graduate students from diverse academic disciplines who produce rigorous evidence about what works to expand education, health, and economic opportunities for people living in poverty. Our business model involves curating policy-relevant research agendas in collaboration with development leaders, overseeing competitive grant-making to answer critical questions, investing in research capacity, and strategically connecting research and ideas to inform decision-making by governments, NGOs, and the private sector.

Key Responsibilities

The postdoctoral scholar will report to CEGA Data Privacy Lab’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Nitin Kohli, work with CEGA Faculty Co-Director Professor Joshua Blumenstock, and collaborate closely with study partners and technical staff to develop the privacy playbook. Our goal is to inductively learn from a series of real-world implementations with study partners to surface lessons learned, as well as pain points encountered and circumvented, when developing, deploying, and using PETs in LMIC settings. The postdoctoral scholar will play a crucial role in development of the playbook, and will interface with study partners and collaborate with technical staff to ensure that the PETs designed meet partners’ operational needs. The postdoc will employ a diverse set of qualitative and/or design research methods, such as semi-structured interviews, focus groups, participant observation, co-design, and participatory design (and/or develop new methodological approaches to enable meaningful stakeholder and/or public participation and translate research into practical guidance), to responsibly integrate PETs in practice, considering technical, social, legal, and organizational approaches. The postdoc will be encouraged to spend 33%-50% of their time on individual (related) research pursuits.

Required qualification:

  • A PhD with interdisciplinary research experience in privacy and qualitative and/or design research methods at the time of starting the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Existing research agenda, with record of academic publications, related to at least one of the following areas: privacy, security, fairness, transparency, human computer interaction, design (e.g., privacy by design, user centered design, human centered design, value sensitive design, values in design).
  • 1-3 years experience conducting qualitative and design research on privacy topics, with an in-depth understanding of privacy-enhancing technologies and the tradeoffs they often induce in practice;
  • 1-3 years experience translating complex material/research to broad, non-technical audiences;;
  • 1-3 years working with and/or experience managing large research teams;
  • Ability to independently investigate solutions to sociotechnical 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.

Appointment Duration, 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 per the rates below and standard UC Berkeley postdoc benefits will be provided. 

Start Date

Flexible start date (November 2025 - January 2026)

How to Apply

CV, cover letter, writing sample, PhD transcript, contact information for three professional references (at least 2 of which are academic).

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