Senior Research Associate (6257C) - #81583

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP), founded in 1969, is a professional school grounded in scholarly practice and deeply aligned with UC Berkeley's public mission. As a leader in the art and science of modern public policy, GSPP pioneered the data-driven, evidence-based approach that remains its hallmark. The school is consistently ranked among the top policy schools in the nation, holding the #1 spot for Policy Analysis, #2 for Social Policy, #3 for Public Affairs, and #4 for Environmental Policy & Management by U.S. News & World Report.

GSPP's interdisciplinary faculty, comprised of 28 ladder-rank professors and 9 emeriti, are leaders in their fields, producing cutting-edge research that addresses complex public problems such as climate change, racial bias, educational inequality, and national security. The school is home to more than 12 research centers, including the Institute for Security and Governance, the Possibility Lab, the Berkeley Risk and Security Lab, the Democracy Policy Lab, India Energy Climate Center, and more.

The school is primarily a graduate institution with four degree programs: the Masters of Public Policy (MPP), the Masters of Public Affairs (MPA), the Masters of Development Practice (MDP), and a PhD in Public Policy. GSPP also has a robust undergraduate presence. The school's academic community includes over 300 Master's candidates, 12 PhD students, 30 academic lecturers, and more than 60 graduate student instructors and researchers. Our more than 3,000 alumni have gone on to serve in leadership roles as UN officials, US cabinet secretaries, elected officials, and heads of state agencies.

With an annual budget of approximately $40 million, supported by diverse revenue streams from philanthropy, contracts, grants, and tuition, the school's physical footprint includes five buildings and over 40,000 square feet of space. The GSPP community-including its more than 70 staff members-is defined by its high-quality work, exceptional talent, and a shared commitment to the public mission.

Under the leadership of Dean David C. Wilson, the school has embarked on a forward-looking effort to expand its faculty, student body, and public impact, ensuring that GSPP continues to improve both the understanding and practice of public policy for the sake of the common good.

Position Summary

This role would conduct research on designing, recommending and evaluating policies for accelerating deployment of clean energy, mitigating and adapting to climate change in India and the global south. This would include deep understanding of policy landscape for resilience to extreme heat in India, quantitative methods to assess heat vulnerability as well as specialized geo-spatial assessments; various policy and regulatory levers that have resulted in cost declines for clean technologies; issues regarding scaling up deployment in energy sectors; best practices from leading markets such as U.S., Europe and China; current climate policy landscape and drivers for clean energy transformation globally.

The role involves conducting high-resolution spatial and quantitative analyses using tools like Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, and Python to support climate adaptation and mitigation in India. It includes managing large geospatial datasets, contributing to policy research and writing, and translating technical findings for diverse stakeholders. The position supports implementation through collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions, and involves active participation in stakeholder engagement. Additional responsibilities include assisting with fundraising and project management, mentoring interns and research assistants, and strengthening institutional knowledge through standardized workflows and internal training. Must have experience with energy/climate focused research and policy analysis, preferably in India.

The India Energy & Climate Center (IECC) at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy leverages clean energy technology and policy expertise at the world's top public university, Silicon Valley, and the state of California to catalyze the rapid transformation of energy systems that can deliver significant environmental, economic, and energy security benefits.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 10/16/2025.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute high-resolution spatial analyses using platforms such as Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, and Python for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts in India.
• Manage large geospatial and climate datasets (e.g., ERA5, MODIS, Sentinel) to support analytical models and real-time dashboards.
• Co-author white papers, policy briefs, technical memos, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Translate technical insights into accessible formats for policymakers, funders, and NGOs.
• Collaborate with government partners (e.g., NDMA, IMD, state disaster agencies), research institutions, and NGOs to guide the co-development and adoption of IECC tools.
• Represent IECC in stakeholder workshops, technical working groups, and consultations across India.
• Contribute to grant proposal writing, budget planning, and reporting for donors and philanthropic partners. Track project timelines, deliverables, and documentation across a portfolio of climate adaptation and climate mitigation projects.
• Support graduate research assistants and interns, providing support on data analysis, research design, and policy translation. Develop standardized workflows, and documentation strengthen IECC's institutional knowledge and ensure continuity across projects.
• Contribute to internal training sessions and collaborative learning to expand the team's technical and policy capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• 6-8 years of relevant experience in research, analytics, or policy (may include graduate-level work).
• Proficiency in spatial analysis tools including Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, and data science languages like Python or R.
• Deep expertise in designing and developing Excel-based models using large datasets.
• Excellent research writing and synthesis skills, with experience drafting technical documents for policy audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and data sources.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work across a variety of teams and geographies.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with India's climate policy and institutional landscape.
• Experience working with remote sensing data, climate models, or public infrastructure datasets.
• Exposure to government-facing projects, impact evaluation, or environmental risk modeling.
• Prior involvement in grant writing, fundraising, or donor engagement.
• Passion for evidence-based public policy and climate resilience.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related quantitative field, with strong analytical and computational training and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Master's degree in Climate Science, Environmental Policy, Public Policy, Energy Systems, or a related discipline and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

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 $91,500.00 - $110,000.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

This position will be governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research and Public Service Professionals, represented by the UAW.

• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position is eligible for up to 20% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.