Senior Research Associate (6610) Job #81438 - Terner Center

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

The Terner Center formulates bold strategies to house families from all walks of life in vibrant, sustainable, and affordable homes and communities. Established in 2015, the Terner Center has quickly become a leading voice in identifying, developing, and advancing innovative public and private sector solutions to achieve broader housing affordability for American communities. The Terner Center is named after Don Terner, a housing pioneer whose ambitious, "no limits" spirit lives on in the ethos and approach to our work.

The Terner Center is focused on identifying ambitious, yet pragmatic solutions to today's most pressing housing challenges, supported by rigorous, action-oriented research. Our success is measured in part by the extent to which our ideas, research, and solutions influence dialogue, decision-making, and practice among policymakers and private sector leaders.

The Terner Center pursues ideas that can help expand the supply of housing and lower the cost of production; increase access to homes and opportunity-rich communities for people across the income spectrum; align housing and climate change priorities; and improve the outcomes of major housing policies and programs through rigorous impact assessment.

The Terner Center for Housing Innovation is seeking a talented Senior Research Associate to join our growing research team and help advance the use of innovative construction methods to improve and expand housing delivery. This is a senior-level position that, in close collaboration with the Terner Center's leadership team, will take the initiative to identify new research opportunities and partnerships, develop research and conceptual frameworks, and formulate policy proposals.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in research design and scoping for projects using qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as experience pursuing interdisciplinary work in the building industry, including but not limited to working with developers, architects, general contractors, and building code officials. The ideal candidate brings knowledge of industrialized/off-site/prefabricated or other innovative methods of construction, as well as an understanding of relevant building codes. Excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate technical material to a broad industry and policy audience are strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience with collaborative research is also preferred.

The Senior Research Associate will report to the Associate Research Director of Land Use and Supply and be expected to collaborate with both the ARD and senior staff at Terner Center and Terner Labs to secure funding for research projects, including initiating and writing funding proposals. The Senior Research Associate will also represent the Terner Center through public presentations, media engagement, and participation in research and policy collaboratives.

The Terner Center seeks candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in our internal management practices and collaborations, and to bring a thoughtful approach to equity issues when shaping our research agenda and methodological approaches.

The First Review Date for this job is: 10/8/25 - Open until filled.

25% Undertakes the design and development of major research and oversees the execution of relevant projects. Supervises and reviews the data collection, data analysis, and report production processes among consultants or student researchers as needed. Responsible for the integrity, adequacy, and accuracy of the data and final product.

15% Collaborates with the communications team to adapt research papers and findings to reach various key audiences through web explainers, visualizations, summaries, blog posts, webinars, and other methods.

15% Stewards and facilitates industry, policymakers, and philanthropic networks and partners. Identifies, develops, and executes strategic plans for fundraising for program activities and ensuring the ongoing sustainability of the program.

15% Develop proposals for research with input from senior staff.

10% Performs supervisory functions, including recruitment of research analysts and graduate student researchers as needed, and is responsible for training and handling disciplinary issues according to UC Berkeley and the Center's HR policies.

5% Provides technical assistance on data management and use of research data to analyze and interpret findings.

5% Tracks and monitors relevant current events, policy analysis papers, and government activities.

5% Participates and presents research in relevant conferences, seminars, and meetings.

• Exceptional organizational, project management, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate quantitative and qualitative findings to non-academic audiences.
• Research or industry background and fluency in housing and building industry dynamics.
• Knowledge of industrialized/off-site/prefabricated or other innovative methods of construction.
• Familiarity with building codes and the code development process.
• Expert oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in building collaborations between agencies and sectors, including, industry, non-profit, academia, and/or governmental agencies.
• Managerial experience and proven success in managing complex research or academic program(s).
• Fundraising experience.
• Strong negotiation skills: ability to influence/persuade all levels of staff.
• Ability to manage and prioritize across multiple project workstreams and deadlines. Experience in designing and implementing qualitative research methods, including interviews, literature reviews, and case studies.
• Knowledge and ability to incorporate issues of equity and sustainability in the building industry.
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff, and students.
• Min. 5 years of relevant experience working in architecture, engineering, construction, housing development, or policy, such as research experience in academia, industry, nonprofit, government, public policy, or research organization.
• Bachelor's degree in related areas and/or equivalent experience/training.

• Advanced degree in a related field (e.g., construction, engineering, building science, public policy/admin, real estate).

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $112,400 - $163,200.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct 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. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California 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 status under state or federal law.