Careers
Position Overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar Employee
Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $60,000 to $71,952.
Percent time: 100
Anticipated start: Summer 2023
Position duration: Initial appointment is for 2 years with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding.
Application Window
Open date: July 17, 2023
Next review date: Thursday, Aug 31, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Thursday, Aug 31, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description
The Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics (ARE) at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee to be focused on life-cycle analysis and the economics of groundwater recharge and jointly advised by Dr. Ellen Bruno (ARE) and Dr. Jennifer Stokes-Draut (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab). They will also work closely with, and receive mentorship from, distinguished colleagues and collaborators from UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Law San Francisco, and UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy and the Environment and Lawrence Berkeley Lab (LBL).
The Postdoctoral Scholar will help develop tools and guidance for broader national implementation of managed aquifer recharge. This Scholar will lead an effort to develop a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) framework and tool that incorporates life cycle environmental assessment (LCA) considerations and that provides customizable accounting of the costs and benefits associated with different types of managed aquifer recharge. The approach will include an evaluation of user needs through structured engagement; the development of a generalizable CBA framework; parameterization of the framework with a data library; and the development and dissemination of an accessible and interactive tool for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of EAR projects over their life cycle. An important element of this exercise is to incorporate geochemical and legal considerations through collaboration with experts on the team in these areas.
An overarching emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, including engagement with regulators, policymakers, water managers, scientists, and engineers, will be central to this position. The Scholar may also work on other water economics or engineering initiatives within ARE and LBL more generally, depending on program needs. The exact responsibilities will vary based on the evolution of various initiatives, the interests, expertise and experience of the selected research scholar. This position is in Berkeley, but can be located remotely with willingness to travel to Berkeley as needed.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Conducting research on costs and benefits of groundwater recharge, including data collection, cleaning and curation, literature review and synthesis, coding, and writing;
- Quantifying the environmental impacts of different recharge approaches and conducting life-cycle inventory and impact assessment using public databases and/or tools, e.g., OpenLCA;
- Develop and code an online interactive tool that serves as a customizable framework for conducting a cost-benefit analysis of recharge projects of various approaches;
- Literature research to understand and synthesize scientific, technical, and operational information about existing and emerging groundwater recharge programs;
- Direct engagement with key decision makers to vet, review, understand, and synthesize information about existing and emerging groundwater recharge programs;
- Supporting and collaborating with a multi-institution, interdisciplinary team;
- Researching and writing research papers and articles for diverse audiences including water practitioners, academics, and policy-makers, under the direction of faculty and staff;
- Interdisciplinary collaboration on complex issues at the intersection of emerging science and policy;
- Assisting advisors in organizing and running workshops or other events (virtual or otherwise) with national water leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, academics, and other audiences;
- Speaking at workshops or other events to practitioners, the academic community, the media, and others about research initiatives;
- Assisting with other miscellaneous aspects of project activities as appropriate;
- Regular travel in California, and occasional travel to other states, will be required for this position.
Qualifications:
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
- PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
- PhD (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date.
- The candidate should have no more than three years of post-degree research experience by start date
Preferred qualifications
- Interest in multi-disciplinary research to influence policy and technology development
- Knowledge of groundwater recharge systems and how they interact with other water and wastewater infrastructure
- Experience and knowledge of cost-benefit analysis and life-cycle assessment, life-cycle costs and environmental impacts
- Strong skills in at least one programming language (e.g., R, C/C++, Python, Java)
- Demonstrated interest in water systems, especially related to groundwater recharge
- Applied experience with water infrastructure design and/or operation from coursework or work experience
- Experience handling large datasets and ensuring data quality
- Proficiency with MS Office, especially Excel, data analysis, and visualization
- Ability to work with people from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and policy perspectives
- Excellent research, analytical, organizational, and writing skills
- Demonstrated publication record or articles currently under review
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Self starter able to prioritize and function both independently and collaboratively
- Demonstrated ability to finish projects and deliver on commitments
Application Requirements:
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample – Research paper or white paper (Optional)
Reference requirements
- 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.
Help contact: ebruno@berkeley.edu
Position title: Climate Change Policy Research Fellow
Position Overview
Position title: Climate Change Policy Research Fellow
Application Window
Open date: June 12, 2023
Next review date: Monday, Jun 26, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Jul 12, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description
The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment is seeking to hire a Climate Change Policy Research Fellow focused on climate policy solutions. This position will primarily focus on off-shore wind development and electric vehicle infrastructure deployment, though projects may shift depending on the incumbent’s expertise and funding availability.
The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) is based at the UC Berkeley School of Law, which benefits from one of the leading environmental law programs in the nation. Building on UC Berkeley’s history of and commitment to research and public service, CLEE leverages the intellectual resources of Berkeley faculty and students in furtherance of applied research in a variety of environmental and energy law and policy areas. CLEE’s research priorities include combating climate change, advancing sustainable energy, addressing water allocation and management challenges, and sustaining healthy oceans, among other pressing environmental and energy challenges.
The Climate Change Research Fellow will focus on multiple aspects of climate change policy, with an emphasis on the challenges of decarbonizing our transportation and energy systems and moving promising climate solutions to policy and scale. Research and work with government, business, and NGO partners will identify barriers to implementation of solutions, including political, technological, regulatory, and educational. The fellow will work closely with CLEE directors on a variety of climate initiatives, with an initial focus on electric vehicle law and policy approaches and offshore wind development in California, much of which will be focused on California. Tasks may include research, convening expert workshops, drafting framing papers, blog posts, and other outputs, outreach and coordination with stakeholders and partners, developing research pre-proposals, managing interns, grad students, and other affiliates, identifying publication opportunities, and engaging in outreach with interested parties, media, and academics, and others.
Activities are anticipated to be roughly split between substantive research and drafting of outputs and operational, coordination, and administrative activities. The exact responsibilities will vary based on the evolution of various initiatives, the expertise and experience of the selected research fellow, and in response to the ongoing evolution of the field. This position is based in Berkeley, but can be located remotely with willingness to travel to Berkeley as needed.
Primary Responsibilities
• Engaging in a variety of activities to support the ongoing project research and implementation
• Conducting research on the climate change issues and solutions, including policy, science, law, and technology, under the direction of and in collaboration with CLEE team members, affiliates, and other experts in relevant fields
• Developing projects and initiatives in collaboration with CLEE team members
• Drafting outputs in a variety of possible formats, ranging from framing papers to blog posts to social media posts
• Working with CLEE climate program leads in organizing and facilitating meetings, workshops, and other convenings with subject matter experts
• Presenting findings, updates, interim reports, etc. to sponsors, media, and nongovernmental, governmental, academic, and/or stakeholder communities as needed
• Assisting with other miscellaneous aspects of project activities as appropriate
For more information on CLEE:: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/clee/
Union Contract:: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ra/
Health and Retirement Benefits:: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu
Qualifications
• Candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent international degree at time of application.
• Masters of Public Policy, JD, LLM, or other equivalent international degree
• At least 2 years of professional experience
• Experience and knowledge at the intersection of law, policy, and/or climate change
• Ability to work with people from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and policy perspectives
• Experience with research, writing, and analysis
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to prioritize and function both independently and collaboratively
• Demonstrated ability to finish projects and deliver on commitments
• Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines
• Willingness to take risks by exploring and testing new ideas
• An interest in making the world better
Application Requirements
-
Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
-
Cover Letter
-
Writing Sample – Such as a policy brief, comment letter, white paper, or equivalent of no more than 10 pages.
- 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03968
Help contact: academicpositions-law@berkeley.edu
Position title: Transportation and Climate Change Research Fellow
Application Window
Open date: June 12, 2023
Next review date: Monday, Jun 26, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Jul 12, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position Description
The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment is seeking to hire a Research Fellow focused on transportation and climate change.
The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) is based at the UC Berkeley School of Law, which benefits from one of the leading environmental law programs in the nation. Building on UC Berkeley’s history of and commitment to research and public service, CLEE leverages the intellectual resources of Berkeley faculty and students in furtherance of applied research in a variety of environmental and energy law and policy areas. CLEE’s research priorities include combating climate change, advancing sustainable energy, addressing water allocation and management challenges, and sustaining healthy oceans, among other pressing environmental and energy challenges.
The Transportation and Climate Change Research Fellow will focus on research and activities that will accelerate the global transition to zero-emission vehicles, working closely with the current Transportation and Climate Change Research Fellow, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the Transportation Decarbonization Alliance, both in California and internationally. The position will focus particularly on the transition of heavy duty vehicles to zero emission, with an emphasis on the challenges of moving promising solutions to policy and scale. Research and work will involve government and nonprofit partners and will focus on key policy issues, with an emphasis on implementation of solutions, including political, technological, regulatory, and educational. The focus will include developing greater understanding of the barriers to transition for the heavy duty vehicle sector, issues confronting ports, long-haul trucking, construction, and other heavy duty operations in California, the United States, and abroad. Tasks may include research, convening expert workshops, briefing government officials, and drafting framing papers, blog posts, and other outputs; outreach and coordination with stakeholders and partners; developing research pre-proposals; managing interns, grad students, and other affiliates; identifying publication opportunities; and engaging in outreach with interested parties, media, and academics, and others.
Activities are anticipated to be roughly split between substantive research and drafting of outputs and operational, coordination, and administrative activities. The exact responsibilities will vary based on the evolution of various initiatives, the expertise and experience of the selected research fellow, and in response to the ongoing evolution of the field.
CLEE seeks candidates with a commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and ability to apply and integrate core concepts of DEIB into everyday practice. CLEE aims to create a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Candidates should demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.
This position is in Berkeley and will involve required domestic and international travel. This position can be filled through in-person and/or remote work.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Engaging in a variety of activities to support the on-going project research and implementation
- Conducting research on the transportation and climate change issues and solutions, including policy, science, law, and technology, under the direction of and in collaboration with CLEE team members, affiliates, and other experts in relevant fields
- Developing projects and initiatives in collaboration with CLEE team members
- Drafting outputs in a variety of possible formats, ranging from framing papers to blog posts to social media posts
- Working with CLEE climate program leads in organizing and facilitating meetings, workshops, and other convenings with subject matter experts
- Presenting findings, updates, interim reports, etc. to sponsors, media, and nongovernmental, governmental, academic, and/or stakeholder communities as needed
- Manage administrative aspects of ongoing projects and implementation
- Support meeting and event planning and logistics
- Assisting with other miscellaneous aspects of project activities as appropriate
For more information on CLEE: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/clee/
Union Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ra/
Health and Retirement Benefits: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent international degree) or be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent international degree) program.
The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent international degree at the time of appointment.
- Experience and knowledge at the intersection of law, policy, and/or transportation and climate change
- Ability to work with people from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and policy perspectives
- 2 years of professional experience
- Experience with research, writing, and analysis
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to prioritize and function both independently and collaboratively
- Demonstrated ability to finish projects and deliver on commitments
- Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines
- Willingness to take risks by exploring and testing new ideas
- An interest in making the world better
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V.
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample – Such as a policy brief, comment letter, white paper, or equivalent of no more than 10 pages
- 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03944
Help contact: academicpositions-law@berkeley.edu
Student Opportunities
CLEE is seeking a Berkeley Law student to conduct legal research during the Fall of 2023. The position is for a 12.5%-25% appointment for Fall 2023, depending on student’s availability, with the possibility of extension into Spring 2024. This is a fully remote position. This position is contingent upon the candidate’s meeting the requirements for this academic appointment, as indicated in the eligibility requirements, below. All Berkeley Legal Research Associates are hired at Step 1 and are paid based on a percentage of time, not on an hourly basis.
CLEE has been working in the offshore wind space for several years and is focused at present on a series of community forums and policy briefs centered on California offshore wind and Community Benefits Agreements. The student researcher will conduct research on various offshore wind related topics, including legal parameters around provisions and enforceability of Community Benefits Agreements and an analysis of offshore wind related bills at the state legislature. If the student is interested, research may also involve examining state policy models for community investment including the Community Economic Resilience Fund, the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program, and others.
An ideal candidate will have:
- completed coursework in administrative law, legislation and statutory interpretation, environmental law, environmental justice law, and/or energy law
- proven, exceptional legal research skills, including skill at prioritizing research approaches
- proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and legal databases
- experience working with stakeholders from various sectors (public and private)
- experience working with state or federal agencies and/or on Offshore Wind
You will report to Katherine Hoff, Research Fellow at CLEE. If you’re interested in applying, send a cover letter and resume to khoff@berkeley.edu by September 1, 2023. Please reference “Offshore Wind Legal Researcher” in the email subject line.