Postdoctoral Opportunity: Postdoctoral Scholar – O'Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics – UC Berkeley

Postdoctoral Opportunity: Postdoctoral Scholar – O'Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics – UC Berkeley

• Institution: University of California, Berkeley

• School: Haas School of Business

• Center: O’Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics and Finance

• Position: Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee

• Job Number: JPF05559

• Appointment Type: Full-Time Postdoctoral Appointment

• Percent Time: 100%

• Location: Berkeley, California, United States

• Initial Appointment: 2 Years

• Renewal: Possible based on performance and funding availability

• Anticipated Start: Spring 2027

• Salary / Remuneration: Approximately INR 67.72 lakh – INR 75.53 lakh annually

• Open Date: September 25, 2026

• Most Recent Review Date: October 16, 2026

• Final Application Deadline: February 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Overview of the Opportunity

The O’Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics and Finance at UC Berkeley invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar to contribute to research in behavioral economics, behavioral finance, and applied economics.

The Center is jointly housed in the Haas School of Business and Department of Economics and is directed by Professor Ulrike Malmendier.

The position offers close collaboration with Berkeley faculty and external research partners, participation in seminars and workshops, and time for complementary independent research.

Research Project

The postdoctoral scholar will work with:

• Professor Ulrike Malmendier

• Matthew Ridley, Warwick University

• Kate Orkin, Oxford University

The funded research agenda examines how predictability and controllability shape economic responses to stress, particularly within labor markets.

Initial experiments are planned in Kenya, with potential expansion to:

• Western industrialized countries

• Neuroscientific evaluation in collaboration with neuroscience researchers

Key Research Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Design Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).

• Develop treatment protocols, scripts, and experimental tasks.

• Train local research teams.

• Supervise field experiments.

• Collect and analyze RCT data.

• Prepare presentation slides.

• Draft research papers.

• Collaborate with faculty and coauthors.

• Participate in UC Berkeley seminars and workshops.

• Develop complementary independent research.

Research Areas

Relevant areas include:

• Behavioral Economics

• Behavioral Finance

• Applied Economics

• Development Economics

• Labor Economics

• Household Finance

• Mental Health and Trauma

• Economic Decision-Making

• Belief Formation

• Neuroscience and Economics

• Poverty and Labor Markets

Basic Qualification

At the time of application, applicants must:

• Hold a Ph.D. or equivalent international degree, or

• Be enrolled in a Ph.D. or equivalent international degree programme.

Additional Qualifications

By the start date, candidates must:

• Have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent international degree.

• Have no more than 3 years of post-degree research experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to candidates with a Ph.D. in:

• Economics

• Finance

• Related fields

Relevant expertise includes:

• Behavioral Economics

• Development Economics

• Applied Microeconometrics

• Field Experiments

• Econometrics

• Economic Theory

• Applied Data Science

• Machine Learning

• Computational Methods for Unstructured Data

Significant experience designing, implementing, and evaluating field experiments is particularly valued.

Salary & Benefits

The current UC postdoctoral salary range is:

USD 71,491 – USD 79,727 annually

Approximately:

INR 67.72 lakh – INR 75.53 lakh annually

The actual minimum salary is determined by experience level under the UC postdoctoral salary scale. Salaries above the stated minimum range may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Application Checklist

Applicants must submit:

1. Curriculum Vitae

2. Cover Letter

   • Should include relevant experience conducting RCTs and the applicant’s role in those projects

3. Contact Information for 2 References

Nature of Appointment

• Full-Time

• 100% Appointment

• Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee

• Initial 2-Year Appointment

• Potential Renewal

• Research-Focused

• Based in Berkeley, California

• Occasional international travel may be required for RCT fieldwork, including work in Kenya

Visa Information

The posting states that unless explicitly stated otherwise, the position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition requiring the USD 100,000 supplemental fee.

Applicants requiring sponsorship should review this condition carefully before applying.

Important Dates

• Open Date: September 25, 2026

• Most Recent Review Date: October 16, 2026

• Final Application Deadline: February 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

• Anticipated Start: Spring 2027

Applications received after the review date may still be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through UC Berkeley Academic Personnel Recruit.

Job Number: JPF05559

Application Link:
https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05559

For application-related questions:

Email: dbeausoleil@berkeley.edu

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