Assistant Specialist, Predoctoral Fellow in Applied Economics & Impact Evaluation
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: February 18, 2025
Next review date: Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Sunday, Aug 31, 2025 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.
Position description
We seek a highly skilled and motivated individual to join us as a full-time Predoctoral Fellow serving as aa Assistant Specialist. The position will entail close collaboration with and assistance to Professor Travis Lybbert. This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The position involves responsibilities that serve as excellent preparation for Ph.D. programs in economics, including data processing and analysis, survey design, literature reviews, and presentations.
The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment or with social science research methods) in the planning and
execution of a research project. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to supply input into the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception and/or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three basic criteria outlined below.
Specific Responsibilities:
Research (80%):
- Provide scientific and technical analysis in support of the planning, implementation and monitoring of the work with the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA)
- Conduct literature reviews and other background analysis to support research design and planning
- Draft /co-authoring blog posts or other commentaries related to impact assessments
- Will help design and execute research projects in consultation with the PI
Professional Competence (10%):
- Engage with the broader SPIA team and researchers both inside and outside the CGIAR, including at meetings and conferences.
University and Public Service (10%):
- May maintain liaison and respond to the needs of the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) team.
Position Requirements:
This position requires possession of a Master’s degree in in Economics or related field, or possession of a relevant baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of research experience. Training in statistics and econometrics is required.
Please note: It is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a doctorate in a discipline relevant or related to the research as an Assistant Specialist.
Preferred Position Requirements:
• 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, and ability to render accurate statistical analysis
• 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)
• Ability to work well with multi-national teams, and communicate effectively with colleagues and faculty
• Strong interest in development economics, causal inference in applied microeconometrics, research design and/or program evaluation.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Application materials must be submitted via the following website: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu. The position will remain open until filled. To ensure consideration, applications should be received by the next review date listed above.
Qualifications
This position requires possession of a Master’s degree in Economics or related field, at time of appointment, or possession of a relevant baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of research experience. Training in statistics and econometrics is required.
• 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, and ability to render accurate statistical analysis
• 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)
• Ability to work well with multi-national teams, and communicate effectively with colleagues and faculty
• Strong interest in development economics, causal inference in applied microeconometrics, research design and/or program evaluation.
Application Requirements
Cover Letter - Please provide a cover letter that describes your related interests, experiences, and career goals.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
• The Authorization to Release Information - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements . Download, complete, sign, and upload the form: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/shortcuts/authorization_release_form
- 2-5 required (contact information only)
Help contact: kralexandra@ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis
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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal 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.
- 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
To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).
We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
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, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20
For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.
The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.
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.

