[CogSci] Postdoc Position, UC Berkeley (Psychology and Economics of Poverty)

[Kristina Hallez]

Hi All,

We are pleased to circulate a new Postdoctoral Scholar position (
https://cega.berkeley.edu/career/postdoctoral-scholar-psychology-and-economics-of-poverty/)
open
at UC Berkeley. Details and information about applying are included below.

Best,
Kristina
----------------------------------------------
Postdoctoral Scholar, Psychology and Economics of Poverty
(
https://cega.berkeley.edu/career/postdoctoral-scholar-psychology-and-economics-of-poverty/
 )

*Description*
The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA), headquartered at the
University of California, Berkeley, seeks an outstanding Postdoctoral
Scholar (postdoc) to support its Psychology and Economics of Poverty (PEP)
Initiative. In collaboration with the PEP Co-Scientific Directors, Drs.
Supreet Kaur (Economics) and Mahesh Srinivasan (Psychology), the postdoc
will engage in planning and carrying out original interdisciplinary
research on the psychology and economics of poverty. To inform this
research, the postdoc will conduct and publish an in-depth review of the
literature at the intersection of psychology and economics, outlining key
findings, knowledge gaps and promising avenues for further research. Both
the research projects and review paper will focus on cognitive and
behavioral effects of poverty and will serve to hone the research agenda
for CEGA’s growing PEP initiative.


*Key Responsibilities*In collaboration with the Co-Scientific Directors,
the postdoc will help conceptualize and conduct research focused on how
poverty affects cognition, decision-making, health, and early childhood
development outcomes. To establish a framework for exploring emerging
domains of interest in research on poverty, the postdoc will also undertake
and publish a thorough review of relevant economics and psychology
literature. Some potential lines of inquiry may include: 1) how poverty
impacts cognitive load, decision-making, social cognition, mental health,
aspirations, or economic and/or health outcomes; 2) belief formation, the
relevance of belief-based utility, affective adaptations to poverty, and
the role of the "psychological immune system" 3) the psychological
consequences of resource stability or volatility, 4) the influence of
cultural context and social norms on outcomes related to the above topics.

The review paper and related research projects will focus on promising
areas for research and on identifying policy levers and insights that can
inform social and economic development programming at scale. Other key
postdoc responsibilities include facilitating the monthly PEP reading group
and presentation sessions, which provides a space for students and faculty
to discuss original research in psychology and economics on the causes and
consequences of poverty, and helping to organize an annual PEP research
convening. These activities focus on conceptual foundations, project design
and methodology, and results interpretation of research on the psychology
and economics of poverty. Finally, the postdoc will be encouraged to pursue
his or her own research agenda with mentorship from Kaur and Srinavasan.

*Required Qualification*
- A PhD (or equivalent) in Economics, Psychology, Public Policy, or a
related field.

*Preferred Qualifications*
- Solid understanding of behavioral economics and psychology research.
Focus on global development a plus.
- 1-3 years experience conducting empirical field research (including
supervising data collection and cleaning activities at field sites) or lab
research
- 1-3 years experience and competency with statistical software packages
such as R, STATA, SAS, and ability to render accurate statistical analysis
- Experience designing and implementing data collection instruments;
- Solid understanding of causal inference in applied micro-econometrics,
research design and program evaluation
- 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 teams, and communicate effectively with
colleagues and faculty.
- Ability to interact with individuals at all levels in a fast-paced
environment, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality
- Experience working with decision-makers in multilateral, developing
country government, and research institutions to identify promising
academic research opportunities a plus


*Application Requirements*This is a one-year full-time position with
possibility for extension. Salary range is commensurate with experience.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until April 1, 2020 or
until the position is filled. The anticipated start date of the position is
September 1, 2020. To apply, include your most recently updated Curriculum
Vitae (required), a cover letter (required), and three professional
references (required) to the Psychology and Economics of Poverty
Postdoc Submittable page.
(
https://cega.submittable.com/submit/0a26015f-7461-4b66-b79e-d06246eaa6dd/psychology-and-economics-of-poverty-postdoc
)

-- 
Kristina Hallez
Program Manager, Psychology and Economics of Poverty
Center for Effective Global Action
University of California, Berkeley
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