Research Fellow in Law
University of California Berkeley
United States

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2023-24/july-2023-acad-salary-scales/t24-b.pdf. The current base salary range for this position is $62,500 - $119,800. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Fall 2023

Position duration: One-year term position, with the possibility of renewal.

Application Window

The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment is seeking to hire an Environmental Policy Research Fellow. This position will primarily focus on policy aspects of the implementation of multi-benefit water and environmental restoration projects, with an emphasis on developing methods and strategies to enable more effective and efficient permitting. There is strong potential for additional cross-disciplinary work in collaboration with CLEE’s climate, oceans, and land use programs, depending on the incumbent’s expertise and funding availability.

The Center for Law, Energy and the Environment (CLEE) is based at the UC Berkeley School of Law. CLEE is part of one of the leading environmental law programs in the nation. Building on UC Berkeley’s history of and commitment to research and public service, CLEE leverages the intellectual resources of Berkeley faculty and students in furtherance of applied research in a variety of environmental and energy law and policy areas. CLEE’s research priorities include combating climate change, advancing sustainable energy, addressing water allocation and management challenges, and sustaining healthy oceans, among other pressing environmental and energy challenges. The Fellow will engage heavily with the Wheeler Water Institute, a research and policy institute within CLEE.

The Fellow will work closely with colleagues on legal and policy research. The Fellow’s efforts will be geared towards improving the implementation of multi-benefit projects, such as restoration projects that improve ecosystem habitat and function while providing flood control, groundwater recharge, open space, energy production, carbon sequestration, and other benefits. Possible foci for the Fellow’s research could include analyzing the potential for joint funding and governance of such projects, streamlining permitting processes, the role of scientific data and information, effective collaborative processes, and other topics that lead to advancing the state of knowledge and generating policy recommendations. Engagement with a range of key stakeholders will be a crucial element of the Fellow’s portfolio.

Additional projects will depend on the fellow’s background and interests, but may address topics such as water allocation during times of water scarcity, sustainable groundwater management, groundwater recharge, innovation in the water sector, data and water decision making, and/or other water governance, management, or policy issues.

Tasks may include legal and policy research; drafting reports, articles, blog posts, and other outputs; engaging with government agency personnel, stakeholders, research partners, the media, and others; helping to organize workshops or other convenings; developing research pre-proposals; and working with student research assistants. The fellow’s exact responsibilities will vary based on the evolution of various initiatives, the expertise and experience of the selected research fellow, and in response to the ongoing evolution of the field.

This position is based in Berkeley, and requires periodic travel, primarily within California. The position could be located remotely with willingness to travel to Berkeley as needed.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conducting research on water resources issues and solutions at the intersection of law, policy, and science, under the direction of and in collaboration with CLEE team members, affiliates, and others;
• Engaging with government agency personnel, stakeholders, and others
• Organizing and participating in workshops, convenings, interviews, or focus groups;
• Drafting reports and articles of publishable quality for policy- focused audiences, under the direction of and in collaboration with CLEE team members; 

• Working with CLEE water program leads in organizing and facilitating meetings, workshops, and other events (virtual or otherwise) with California water leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, academics, and other audiences; 

• Presenting at workshops or other events to practitioners, stakeholders, the academic community, the media, and others about research initiatives as needed;
• Assisting with other aspects of workshop, research, and report production as assigned; and
• Assisting with other miscellaneous aspects of project, water program, and CLEE activities as appropriate.
• Additional supervisory and program design responsibilities could be available for candidates with appropriate backgrounds and experience.

Union Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ra/

Health and Retirement: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu

For More information on CLEE:: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/clee/

For more information on the Wheeler Water Institute: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/clee/research/wheeler/

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Must hold advanced degree or enrolled in advanced degree program

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Must hold advanced degree

Preferred qualifications

• 3-10 years of professional experience in a law-, policy-, or consulting-focused environment
• Candidate with a JD degree or equivalent degree, or a PhD or equivalent international degree
• Excellent demonstrated public speaking skills
• Experience with organizing and facilitating meetings
• Project management experience and skills
• Excellent writing skills, and demonstrated track record of producing published research
• Experience managing and mentoring junior co-workers

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04158

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

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.

Berkeley, CA