Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation.
Established in 2015, the Terner Center is a leading voice in the formulation of practical solutions and policies to meet the challenges of developing homes and communities that are affordable, vibrant, and environmentally sustainable.
Our Values
With a small but dynamic core staff, team members at the Terner Center take on a variety of different roles on many projects in a fast-paced, data-driven environment. We hold our work and each other to high standards through constructive feedback and iterative review. Most of all, we are committed to the success and growth of each member of our team. We encourage staff to share their knowledge, time, and perspectives, and to seek out opportunities for professional and educational development.
A key aim of our work is to guide and elevate the scholarship and leadership of students at UC Berkeley on issues in housing policy, development, and design. We regularly hire UC Berkeley graduate and undergraduate students from a variety of programs for semester appointments. Please check below for opportunities for students.
Our Culture
- We strive to foster collaboration and team engagement. Impactful research and policy development are rooted in exchange, both within our team and with external partners and organizations.
- We expect our staff to value research that is independent, based in evidence, and rigorous. We look for team members who are committed to producing high-quality and impactful work that advances the Terner Center’s mission.
- We believe our work is stronger when it engages a broad set of stakeholders. We look for team members who are always thinking about new ways to amplify our work and reach new audiences.
- We are family-friendly. With several working parents on our team, we offer flexibility in scheduling and enjoy when kids of all ages visit our office or pop up on video calls.
- We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where every team member is welcomed, valued, and supported.
- We are an equal opportunity employer and seek applications from people with diverse backgrounds of all kinds. We encourage people who have lived experience with the challenges of housing affordability to apply.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical insurance, including health, dental, and vision coverage through UC Berkeley. Click here to learn more.
- Retirement savings or pension opportunities as well as retirement counseling and education through UC Berkeley. Click here to learn more.
- Paid vacation, sick time, and holiday leave.
- Access to the educational and professional development benefits of a world-class academic institution.
CURRENT OPENINGS
Terner Center Senior Research Associate
The Terner Center is seeking a talented Senior Research Associate to assess the use of innovative design and construction methods to improve and expand housing delivery.
The Senior Research Associate will explore the role of innovative housing delivery methods such as industrialized construction—in which principles and practices from the manufacturing sector are used to design and build a home—in the U.S. housing industry. They will work closely with the Terner Center’s leadership and research team to identify and pursue new research opportunities and partnerships, develop research and conceptual frameworks, formulate policy proposals, and collaborate with the communications team to translate research findings to formats such as blog posts, web interactives, and webinars to reach key stakeholders.
The Senior Research Associate will report to the Associate Research Director (ARD) of Land Use and Supply and will collaborate with the ARD and senior staff 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 Senior Research Associate supervises and reviews the data collection, data analysis, and report production processes among consultants and graduate student researchers as needed.
The ideal candidate will have:
- a minimum of five years of relevant experience working in architecture, engineering, construction, housing development, research, and/or policy, within academia, industry and nonprofit, or public sector organizations
- knowledge of innovative housing delivery methods such as industrialized or off-site construction
- demonstrated success in establishing research partnerships and designing, scoping, managing, and executing complex qualitative and quantitative research projects
- interdisciplinary experience across the building industry, including but not limited to working with developers, architects, general contractors and subcontractors, labor organizations, and/or building code officials
- excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate technical material to a broad industry and policy audience, including for grant writing or fundraising
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, research agenda, and methodological approaches. They will also bring an understanding of the history and current realities of inequities in housing markets and the skill and dedication to apply this lens to their work.
This position will be located at the Terner Center’s offices in Oakland, California but flexibility may be available to work remotely 1-2 days per week. Salary will be $112,400 – $163,200, commensurate with experience. The position is open until filled. Review of applications will begin October 13, 2025.
Please visit the UC Berkeley Careers site and search for Job #81438.