Associate / Full Specialist in Labor Research

Position overview

Position titles :

Associate Specialist in Labor Research

Specialist in Labor Research

Salary range :

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable salary estimate for Associate Specialist is at a range between $73,000 - $85,000 annually. A reasonable salary estimate for Specialist is at a range between $90,000 - $124,000 annually.

Percent time : 100%

Anticipated start : April 2025

Position duration : 2 year Appointment

Application Window

Open date : March 6, 2025

Most recent review date : Thursday, Mar 20, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date : Monday, Mar 2, 2026 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 UC Merced Community and Labor Center conducts research and education on issues of community, labor and the environment. It is the largest labor center serving a rural region in the US and has four major areas of expertise : rural work, workers' rights, immigrant rights, and equitable economic development. The center is hiring an Associate / Full Specialist in Labor Research.

The Labor Research Specialist will report to the Executive Director and conduct applied labor research in the center's areas of expertise. The Labor Researcher will serve as a co-PI or PI on major research projects; clean and code quantitative and qualitative data; analyze data; participate in the writing of issue-based fact sheets, research briefs and / or reports; and create and deliver research presentations. The Labor Researcher may provide service to the public by planning meetings and events, or maintaining and developing relationships, with labor unions and worker organizations. Under the supervision of senior researchers or affiliates, the Labor Researcher may provide service to the center by providing trainings to other researchers.

Research Design, Data Collection and Analysis (70%)

Serve as a co-PI or PI on applied labor research projects, including but not limited to workers, labor standards, industry trends and working conditions

Work with labor unions and worker organizations to design and execute publicly-engaged research.

Design time-sensitive research studies utilizing the most practical qualitative (e.g. interviews) and / or quantitative methodologies (e.g. census data, survey data)

Clean and code qualitative and quantitative data. Construct datasets from public data.

Analyze data regarding applied labor research

For Associate Specialist Candidate : Co-author applied labor research fact sheets, briefs and / or reports that effectively communicate relevant labor policy implications and recommendations

For Specialist Candidate : Author applied labor research fact sheets, briefs and / or reports that effectively communicate relevant labor policy implications and recommendations

Professional Competence and Activity (10%)

Disseminate research findings-through presentations, interviews, public commentary and meetings-to university, community, labor, media, agency, and elected official stakeholders

University and Public Service (20%)

Assist with planning meetings and events with regional labor and worker organizations.

Assist with maintaining and developing partnerships with labor and worker organizations.

Providing trainings to other center researchers, including academic staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students.

For Specialist Candidate :

Specialist serve on committees for academic personnel reviews.

Specialist contribute to policy development for the Community and Labor Center.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Required Qualifications (for associate specialist)

Master's Degree in a labor-related field, such as sociology, economics or public health, or five to ten years of experience demonstrating expertise in applied labor research.

Required Qualifications (for full specialist)

Master's Degree in a labor-related field, such as sociology, economics or public health, or ten or more years of experience demonstrating expertise in applied labor research; or, a PhD in a labor-related field.

Preferred qualifications

Two years of experience working with labor unions or organizing workers

Expertise in developing curriculum and leading strategic research workshops

Expertise in multiple statistical software programs (e.g. SPSS, STATA, R, Python, etc.)

Proficiency in one or more data visualization programs (e.g. ArcGIS)

Spanish language proficiency

Application Requirements by Level

Associate Specialist

Position title : Associate Specialist in Labor Research

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Research Publications - Two Research Publications

Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion. Please review the UC Merced Diversity Statement Guidelines and UC's Commitment to Diversity

Authorization of Information Release - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal 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.

Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link : JPF01895

Specialist

Position title : Specialist in Labor Research

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Research Publications - Two Research Publications

Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion. Please review the UC Merced Diversity Statement Guidelines and UC's Commitment to Diversity

Authorization of Information Release - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal 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.

Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Reference requirements

Apply link : JPF01895

Help contact : About UC Merced

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the US. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Additional links : UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035 : Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (analytics-hub / student-statistics), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.

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.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and / or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.

Job location

Merced, CA