Postdoctoral Position in Indigenous Social Action and Equity
University of California Berkeley Department of Psychology
United States

Application Window

The Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a postdoctoral scholar employee to affiliate and work in conjunction with the Research for Indigenous Social Action and Equity (RISE) Center (housed at the University of Michigan). This position is located at Berkeley. The aims of the Center are bold—to re-imagine and re-create how mainstream U.S. culture engages with narratives about Indigenous Peoples. We are working toward a society in which all individuals not only learn about Indigenous Peoples but also learn from Indigenous Peoples. Our mission is three-fold: 1) To conduct rigorous multidisciplinary research centering Indigenous Peoples’ voices and experiences; 2) To build, support, and sustain a multi-university pipeline of Indigenous scholar-activists; 3) To put research into action by working with artists and activists who use the Center’s research to propagate accurate, expansive, and empowering narratives of Indigenous Peoples.

We seek a postdoctoral scholar employee who is ready to jump in and collaborate with a growing team of scholar-activists. The postdoctoral scholar employee will work on a robust line of interdisciplinary, multi-university research projects focused on creating narrative change for Indigenous Peoples. Research in the Center is conducted using a hierarchical team-based mentoring model. The applicant should be passionate about translating research into social action and working flexibly across disciplines and sectors to create societal change. The post-doctoral scholar will play an active role in mentoring junior scholars while also collaborating with and learning from peers and senior scholars in diverse disciplines. The ideal applicant will be well-versed in empirical research, in an empirical social science or humanities discipline, have a strong knowledge of diverse research methodologies, designs, and implementations, and data analysis skills. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, especially those from Indigenous backgrounds and/or a strong record of research with Indigenous Peoples. This is an ideal position for a recent PhD graduate with an interest in collaborative, multidisciplinary work focused on social justice.
Duties. The post-doctoral research fellow will be an active member of an interdisciplinary team of researchers, artists and activists working to create narrative change for Indigenous Peoples. Their primary responsibilities will include research, mentoring, and professional activities.
Research:

● Collaborate with senior personnel to design, implement, and supervise research on Indigenous narrative change;
● Analyze, interpret, and summarize qualitative and quantitative data using a variety of statistical tools;
● Communicate research findings via peer-reviewed manuscripts and lay-oriented written products (e.g., opinion essays; toolkits for educators or policymakers);
● Collaborate with the social action team to conceptualize and design narrative change initiatives and products based on the Center’s research;
● Write research proposals and apply for funding from federal and state agencies as well as non-profit organizations; and
● Report to funders regarding research progress and findings.
Mentoring:
● Train and mentor graduate, post-baccalaureate, and undergraduate students.
Professional Activities:
● Participate in academic conferences and present ongoing work and findings;
● Carry out peer reviews of scientific publications and research proposals as appropriate;
● Attend relevant seminars and workshops within or outside of the academy;
● Stay up to date with new developments in narrative change research and social action

PhD or equivalent international degree or enrolled in a PhD program or equivalent international degree program at the time of application

-PhD or equivalent international degree
-Up to three (3) years of post PhD experience

● Data collection and analysis experience, preferably with both youth and adults;
● Experience with secondary, lab, and/or field research;
● Strong command of diverse research methodologies, including qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies;
● Familiarity with data analysis platforms (e.g., R, SPSS, SAS,
MPLUS), survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics), and Microsoft Office programs;
● Advanced statistical skills are preferred (e.g., multilevel modeling, path analysis, multivariate statistics);
● Strong written and oral communication skills in both academic and lay contexts;
● Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence in the academic community;
● Evidence of positive mentoring experiences and successful collaborations with senior and junior team members;
● Knowledge of Indigenous cultures and/or experience working with Indigenous Peoples;
● Eagerness and initiative to learn new research skills;
● Demonstrated research interests and experiences aligned with the Center’s work.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at UC Berkeley. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and academic and non-academic staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our academic positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging.

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 condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

Positions that are represented by a collective bargaining unit or agent have particular contracts. For more information, please refer to the relevant contract: Lecturer contract, Postdoctoral contract, Research Series contract, and Librarian contract. Questions about represented positions can be directed to the hiring unit.