University of California, Los Angeles

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

The California Policy Lab (CPL) at UCLA is seeking a mid- to senior-level Researcher to lead policy-relevant quantitative research in partnership with state and local agencies across California. This role offers access to one of the nation’s most comprehensive administrative data systems, including 20+ years of linked employer-employee earnings and unemployment insurance records.

You will design research questions, build and oversee analysis plans, manage and analyze large datasets, and translate findings into reports and policy briefs for academic and government audiences. The role also includes leading research teams, supervising junior staff, contributing to grant proposals, and collaborating closely with government partners to shape joint research agendas.

Qualified candidates hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in economics, public policy, statistics, or a related field, with expertise in labor economics, workforce development, or the social safety net. Strong causal inference skills, advanced programming experience (e.g., Stata, R, Python, SAS, SQL), and the ability to communicate research clearly are essential. Experience supervising staff, publishing research, and working with government agencies is preferred.

Apply online via UCRecruit (search JPF10825). First review date: February 27, 2026.