Senior Researcher/Program Manager (7398U), The Social Science Matrix - #80846

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Departmental Overview

Social Science Matrix is a UC Berkeley institute for social science research. Our purpose is captured in our name: we provide an organizational framework, a "matrix" that supports cross-disciplinary projects pursued by more than 500 social scientists across the Berkeley campus research landscape and beyond.

With Matrix as a catalyst, UC Berkeley social scientists have unique potential to generate effective solutions to global challenges, including climate change, transnational migration, and growing risks of democratic backsliding.

This position will support the Program on Finance and Democracy of the Berkeley Economy and Society Initiative (BESI). BESI is a political economy research center within Matrix that champions multidisciplinary research and informed policy conversation exploring and countering the inequalities of resources and power that frequently impede social progress. The Program on Finance and Democracy is a program run within BESI's Capitalism and Democracy Research Cluster, directed by Professor Paul Pierson. It investigates how finance constrains democratic self-determination and drives new forms of power concentration while exploring alternative models that could promote greater democratic control and economy justice. Planned research themes are (1)Cryptocurrency and Digital Finance; (2) Financial Power Concentration and Oligarchy; (3) Geopolitical Drivers of Finance; (4)Empirical survey of global financial flows, and (5)Theoretical Perspectives on Finance.

Position Summary

Reporting to the BESI director, Paul Pierson, of the Political Science Department, the Senior Researcher/Program Manager is responsible for a wide range of activities related to the Berkeley Program on Finance and Democracy (BPFD) and the program's research activities and outputs. The current gift fund that supports this program includes a remit for research dissemination, public and private engagement, and policy and curricular development.

The Senior Researcher/Program Manager will work closely with other staff and teams at BESI, Matrix and other campus departments, as appropriate, and is expected to have strong managerial and leadership skills. In addition to conducting their own investigations, the Senior Researcher/Program Manager will establish bridges to the larger (both Berkeley and global) Finance and Society research community; launch and administer an ongoing Summer Training Workshop for graduate students and faculty, write scholarly articles, reviews and Program newsletters about relevant recent scholarship in program areas, convene a Finance and Democracy Seminar; administer student research fellowships, and collaborate with external scholars on publications and events to advance the Program's aims. Leads strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of a research program focused on finance and democracy. Supports program leadership with analytical studies and reporting.

This is a challenging opportunity for someone with a strong desire to use and deepen skills in project management and communications, advance intellectual agendas in interdisciplinary social science research, and who is energized to contribute to the long-term success of the Program on Finance and Democracy's research and outreach portfolios.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 09/12/2025.

Responsibilities

Proposes, leads and/or participates on policy and planning committees and working groups.

• Provides strategy development for organizational or research initiative.
• Coordinates implementation with cross-organizational departments or external entities as needed.
• Provide comprehensive thematic and logistical leadership for all program-related seminars, mini-conferences, workshops, and other events, working in close collaboration with internal and external partners. This includes conceptualization, speaker identification, logistical planning, and post-event follow-up.
• Proposes, leads and/or participates on policy and planning committees and working groups. Provides strategy development for organizational or research initiative.
• Coordinates implementation with cross-organizational departments or external entities as needed.
• Provide comprehensive thematic and logistical leadership for all program-related seminars, mini-conferences, workshops, and other events, working in close collaboration with internal and external partners. This includes conceptualization, speaker identification, logistical planning, and post-event follow-up.
• Convene, prepare for, and provide comprehensive support for advisory board meetings, facilitating effective communication and strategic alignment between Program leadership, the Social Science Social Science Dean, and relevant faculty to review Program Objectives and Programming.
• Initiate and manage collaborative activities with the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics' (SASE) Finance & Society Research Network, including the organization of joint mini-conferences and other scholarly events.

Researches and drafts complex proposals, reports, briefings, executive summaries, and speeches.

• Establishes and maintains contacts internally and with external constituents for the collection and exchange of data.
• Produce and disseminate a compelling monthly newsletter, summarizing recent scholarship, program activities, and relevant news for a diverse audience of stakeholders, including academics, policymakers, and the public.
• Author an annual or biennial review of critical financial studies, synthesizing key developments, emerging trends, and significant contributions, for publication in specialized disciplinary journals (e.g., Political Science, Sociology, Political Economy).

Conducts post-implementation analysis to determine the need for further enhancements, finer distinctions and/or additional process/policy components.

• Systematically evaluate the annual summer training workshop, including the development of metrics and reporting mechanisms, to inform strategic adjustments and ensure the program's ongoing relevance and impact.

Provides analyses for complex budget, financial, academic, data, systems and resource projects working directly with all levels of managers.

• Develop detailed program plans, manage associated budgets, and lead the effective implementation of all program activities, ensuring objectives are met within established timelines and resources.

Researches, monitors and analyzes regulations, legislation, research literature and UC policies for impact on the organization or initiative.

• Produce and disseminate a compelling monthly newsletter, summarizing recent scholarship, program activities, and relevant news for a diverse audience of stakeholders, including academics, policymakers, and the public.

Coordinates efforts with a variety of external and internal contacts; researches organizational structures, policies and procedures and summarizes best practices in field.

• Provides technical guidance and quality assessment.
• Develop and implement strategies to foster a robust and engaged community of researchers in Finance and Democracy.
• Proactively identify and cultivate a network of leading scholars, emerging academics, and practitioners working on relevant themes.

Develops scope of work, budgets, and reports for project requirements.

• Provide comprehensive support for Program Leadership and Advisory Board with BPFD substantive and financial reports.
• Actively support program fundraising and development initiatives by fostering positive donor relations, assisting in proposal preparation, reporting on activities, and participating in cultivation events as needed.

Performs ad hoc, analytical studies on a wide variety of policies, programs and issues which are complex in nature.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn common organization- or research-specific and other computer application programs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
• Analytical/problem-solving skills.
• Strong skills in analyzing, researching and synthesizing large amounts of data for preparing sound and relevant proposals/analyses.
• Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
• Strong policy analysis techniques.
• Bachelor's degree in fields related to the political economy of finance and democracy and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in fields related to the political economy of finance and democracy 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 $74,700.00 - $100,000.00.

• This is a 1-year, full-time (40 hours/week), contract appointment that is eligible for UC benefits with the possibility of extension.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

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

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.

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.