Associate​/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

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.

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:
  Serve on committees for academic personnel reviews.
• Specialist contribute to policy development for the Community and Labor Center.

Basic qualifications (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.

Basic qualifications (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…