Labor Center Junior Specialist

The UC Irvine Labor Center in the School of Social Ecology seeks applications to fill a full-time Academic Specialist position focused on supporting the Center's applied research on labor, employment, and working conditions.

The UC Irvine Labor Center conducts research on issues affecting workers and their communities in Orange County, California, and beyond. The Center's research addresses changing conditions of work, worker rights and protections, economic inequality, labor markets, and worker organizing, with particular attention to the experiences of low-wage and precarious workers. Research is developed in collaboration with faculty, labor organizations, community partners, students, and other researchers and is disseminated through reports, policy briefs, public programs, and other publications intended to inform public understanding and policy.

The Academic Specialist will support research projects across the Center's portfolio and work closely with the Research Director, postdoctoral researchers, graduate student researchers, and other members of project teams. Responsibilities will include conducting background and literature research, identifying and organizing relevant academic and policy sources, supporting the preparation and management of research materials, and assisting project teams as research moves from development through publication. The Academic Specialist will also contribute to the preparation of research products through citation and source verification, copyediting, formatting, fact-checking, and limited drafting and revision. The position may assist with the organization and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative research materials and other project needs under the direction of senior research staff.

Candidates should have strong research, writing, and organizational skills and demonstrated attention to detail. The position requires the ability to work across multiple research projects, evaluate and organize information from academic and policy sources, maintain accurate citations and research records, and contribute to the production of clear, rigorous research publications. Familiarity with labor and employment policy, economic inequality, worker rights, or related areas is desirable. Experience with academic or policy research, research publications, citation management, and editing is also desirable.

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in labor studies, public policy, economics, sociology, political science, urban planning, law, or a related field. Prior research experience in an academic, policy, labor, or related setting is preferred.

The successful candidate will report to the Research Director of the UC Irvine Labor Center and collaborate with researchers, faculty, graduate students, and project partners involved in the Center's research portfolio.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and is benefits-eligible. The initial appointment will be for one year with the possibility of renewal based on programmatic need and available funding. Anticipated start date is October 2026.

Applicants will need to submit a dossier including (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) a cover letter, (3) a sample publication or writing sample, and (4) contact information for three references.

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in labor studies, sociology, political science, economics, public policy, or a related field.

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in labor studies, public policy, economics, sociology, political science, urban planning, law, or a related field.

• 3 required (contact information only)

The University of California, Irvine 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 categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

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.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• 
  APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.
  
  

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.