Job Details

Senior Research Scientist I - (2025-04)

Doctorate required. The position is Senior Research Scientist I available as full‑time or part‑time. The work is based at the Prevention Research Center (PRC) in Berkeley, CA, but is open to offsite workers across the USA. The role falls under the Research category within PIRE.

Position Summary

PRC (prev.org) is situated in Berkeley, CA and collaborates with offsite partners throughout the United States. The center has been a National Alcohol Research Center under the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and it operates as one of five centers of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE). PRC and PIRE focus on designing and implementing complex program evaluation strategies and conducting research on health and social issues—including mental health, substance use, child welfare, education, criminal justice, public policy, and community partnerships. PIRE provides training and technical assistance for states and communities seeking to improve public health.

PRC and PIRE are seeking senior research scientists and evaluators to join our team. The opportunity is open to senior career investigators who wish to continue their research program while enhancing PIRE's portfolio in areas such as health, mental health, substance use; child welfare; education; criminal justice; public policy; state, county and community partnerships and program evaluation.

PLEASE NOTE: PIRE is a soft‑money research organization. Researchers are responsible for securing their own funding. As part of the CV and introduction letter, please provide a brief description of your research interests and current or potential funders.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO PURSUE THEIR OWN RESEARCH WHILE COLLABORATING WITH OTHER PIRE SCIENTISTS IN AREAS OF MUTUAL INTEREST. CURRENT OR RECENT FUNDING FROM NIH, SAMHSA, AND/OR OTHER FEDERAL OR STATE AGENCIES IS DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED. PIRE IS PREPARED TO ASSIST RESEARCHERS WHO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS WITH LIMITED STARTUP FUNDING, MENTORSHIP, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE, AND COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT. EMPLOYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFUL AWARDS.

For full‑time researchers and evaluators, we offer comprehensive health coverage, a retirement plan, and flexible work arrangements to support our nationally recognized institution of independent scientists.

Benefits Overview

• 3.5–7 weeks of accrued PTO during the first year
• Company‑provided retirement plan
• Company‑provided life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance of $100k
• Company‑provided short‑ and long‑term disability
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Application Requirements

• Strong skills in project management, research collaboration, and proposal development.
• A track record of relevant publications; and
• Experience writing grant and/or proposal applications for NIH, SAMHSA and/or other agencies that fund scientific research.

Job Requirements

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.D., Ph.D., J.D.) or equivalent experience
• At least ten years of experience in a relevant professional research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop a research program.
• An established record of obtaining peer‑reviewed funding alone or in collaboration with others.
• The ability to work for a U.S. employer.

Some Primary Duties and Responsibilities

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Exemption Type

Exempt

EEO/Affirmative Action Statement

PIRE is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer.

PIRE is a diverse community devoted to the promotion and acceptance of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, gender, physical ability, or veteran status. PIRE is committed to employing, and advancing in employment, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and to treating qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability or veteran status.

PIRE's EEO/Affirmative Action Policy complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

PIRE will provide reasonable accommodations with the application process upon your request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact Human Resources by email at: ...@pire.org.

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