Development Economics Predoctoral Research Fellow

About the Center for Effective Global Action 

The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is a hub for research, training and innovation headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. We generate insights that decision-makers can use to improve policies, programs, and people’s lives. Our best-in-class academic network includes nearly 200 faculty, 80 scholars from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—primarily from East Africa, and hundreds of graduate students from diverse academic disciplines who produce rigorous evidence about what works to expand education, health, and economic opportunities for people living in poverty. Our business model involves curating policy-relevant research agendas in collaboration with development leaders, overseeing competitive grant-making to answer critical questions, investing in research capacity, and strategically connecting research and ideas to inform decision-making by governments, NGOs, and the private sector. 

Position Overview 

Edward Miguel, affiliated with CEGA, seeks an outstanding predoc (Junior or Assistant Specialist) to support empirical analysis and administration for rigorous impact evaluations spanning forced displacement, health, and development in Kenya and Jordan. Predoc will work directly with Edward Miguel on his portfolio of projects, which are contingent on funding. They will perform data cleaning, data analysis and background research such as in depth literature reviews and evidence synthesis for technical and non-technical audiences. The predoc will also support research partnership development by cultivating strong relationships with organizations providing research support and data collection services, and may have the opportunity to travel to field sites. Other key responsibilities include: providing research assistance to research projects and papers using empirical approaches; contributing to technical grant proposals, progress reports for current funding sources; and other administrative tasks related to the projects, CEGA, and the Principal Investigator(s) (PI). Predocs may also support additional research and policy efforts relevant to the goals of the PIs and CEGA. 

Responsibilities are complex and require at least a college degree or equivalent. Candidates must also be familiar with advanced econometric analysis, as well as with programming using Stata, R, and/or Python. Knowledge of LaTeX and Github is also necessary. 

Predoc positions are ideal for graduating seniors or master’s degree students interested in pursuing a PhD in economics or related fields. In addition to working closely with faculty, candidates will have opportunities to participate in UC Berkeley’s vibrant academic life through attending seminars, attending classes, and interacting with students and other CEGA predocs. 

The predoc has access to a $1,000 professional development fund to use throughout their appointment. 

Basic qualifications required at time of application 

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent international degree or enrolled in a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent international degree program. 

Some preferred (but not required) qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent international degree in Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Business, or related discipline. 
• Strong interest in development economics, causal inference in applied microeconometrics, research design, program evaluation, cost-effectiveness analysis, and/or big data/remote sensing. 
• 1-2 years experience conducting empirical research including contributing to data collection and cleaning activities. 
• 1-2 years experience and competency with statistical software packages such as STATA, R, Python, Julia, and/or Matlab and ability to render accurate statistical analysis; as well as proficiency with LaTeX and Github. 
• Familiarity with standard social science data sources, internet tools, and HTML. 
• Familiarity working with large-scale datasets, e.g., through cloud or cluster computing. 
• Ability to read and analyze published papers in economics, and accurately understand their main results. 
• Ability to independently investigate solutions to technical and administrative problems. 
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific findings into accessible, non-technical language (via publications or professional presentations). 
• Experience living and/or working in LMICs. 
• Ability to work well with multi-national teams, and communicate effectively with colleagues and faculty. 
• Additional language besides English (in particular, French, Hindi, Portuguese or Spanish). 

Details

This position is full-time, currently funded for one year, and based in Berkeley, California. To apply, include your most recently updated Curriculum Vitae (required), a cover letter (required), and three letters of recommendation (required). 

The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. A reasonable estimate for this position is $66,000–$78,000. CEGA compensates predocs as follows:

• [Step 1] $66,000: Bachelor's degree and 0-1 years equivalent professional experience 
• [Step 2] $69,600: Bachelor's degree and 1-2 years equivalent professional experience 
• [Step 3] $74,500: Bachelor's degree and 2-4 years equivalent professional experience or Masters degree and 0-2 years equivalent professional experience
• [Step 4] $78,000: Bachelor's degree and 4-6 years equivalent professional experience or Masters degree and 2-4 years equivalent professional experience

How to Apply

To apply, submit your application on AP Recruit (https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05203) with your most recently updated CV, a cover letter, and a research statement (optional).
 

The first review date is December 19, 2025. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling bases. The final review date is December 29, 2025.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct. 

The Department is interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their work.