Job Description

RESEARCH FELLOW/SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW

Center for Innovation (C4i)

Classification: Level 3 / Class 2052 / Full-Time / Exempt / Contract / Benefited

Anticipated Hiring Salary: $70,000-$90,000 (Sr. Research manager)

About the Center For Innovation (C4i)
The Center for Innovation (C4i) at UC Law San Francisco is a nationally recognized academic think tank—and action tank—providing high-impact support to Congress, federal and state agencies, and major media outlets. C4i blends rigorous research with hands-on policy engagement, equipping the next generation of legal thinkers and doers. Operating across three key verticals—The AI Law & Innovation Institute, The Law & Medicine Initiative, and Startup Legal Garage—C4i responds to over 50 government requests annually and plays an active role in national policy conversations. Led by Professor Robin Feldman, a nationally respected scholar, C4i is frequently cited by the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court. To learn more about C4i, visit: (

About the Role & Title
This position may be titled Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow, depending on the candidate's academic background and relevant experience.

• Candidates with a J.D. or a Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, health economics, data science) and significant applied research or policy experience will be considered for the Senior Research Fellow title.
• Candidates with a Master's degree or a Ph.D. earlier in their career will be considered for the Research Fellow title.

THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Center for Innovation (C4i) at UC Law San Francisco is seeking a skilled researcher and writer with an advanced degree to join our high-impact team. This is a mission-driven research role focused on shaping the future of policy, legislation, and regulation—particularly around artificial intelligence (AI), pharmaceutical pricing, intellectual property, and competition.

You'll work directly with Professor Robin Feldman, a nationally recognized legal scholar whose research is regularly cited by Congress, regulatory agencies, and in briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to research that informs lawmaking, influences public discourse, and drives systems-level change.

The ideal applicant will have a J.D. and between one and five years of law practice or legal research experience. A one-year position is possible for those between law school and clerkship. Academically inclined recent law-school graduates, law firm litigation associates, and government attorneys highly encouraged to apply. This is a contract position .

Typical duties and responsibilities consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

• Drafting sections of white papers, peer-reviewed articles, or policy briefs.
• Helping to respond quickly to a media inquiry or a request for advice from a governmental official.
• Conducting in-depth legal research on pharmaceutical pricing, AI law, and IP issues.
• Preparing funder reports and communicating findings to key stakeholders.
• Editing academic pieces for publication in law reviews or scientific journals.
• Designing data analysis plans and shaping research methodology.
• Supervising and mentoring the Research Managers and Student Research Assistants

Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required (candidates may meet either the legal or advanced degree pathway):

• Legal pathway:
• J.D. degree, preferably from a U.S. law school
• 1–5 years of legal practice or academic legal research experience
• Strong legal writing and editing skills
• Ability to synthesize complex legal issues clearly and effectively
• Familiarity with legal research platforms such as Westlaw or Lexis
• Advanced degree pathway:
• Advanced degree (e.g., MPP, MPH, MS, MA, or PhD) in a research-intensive or policy-relevant discipline
• 2–5 years of experience in public policy, academic research, or applied analysis
• Strong writing and editing skills, including drafting reports, policy briefs, or academic work
• Ability to synthesize complex information and translate it for a policy audience
• Familiarity with public policy, health systems, or regulatory frameworks
  

Preferred:

• Ability to work effectively in an open, cooperative workspace.
• Policy and/or data research experience
• Experience with appellate brief writing or legal scholarship
• Exposure to regulatory, healthcare, or intellectual property law
• Interest in policy-oriented research or data-driven legal studies
• Experience supervising junior researchers or managing research workflows
• Familiarity with basic statistics or policy data sets
• Exposure to legal or legislative research
• Interest in health law, innovation policy, or regulation of emerging technologies

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

We're seeking a candidate with an advanced degree—such as a J.D., Master's, or Ph.D. in public policy, public health, economics, data science, or a related field—who brings strong writing skills, deep intellectual curiosity, and a drive to shape public policy. You do not need to have a J.D., but exposure to legal frameworks or prior work in law-adjacent settings is a plus. This is an ideal role for someone with experience in applied research or policy analysis, or who is eager to work on fast-paced projects with national visibility and real-world impact. You'll contribute to research that informs legislative efforts related to AI competition, healthcare, and innovation policies.

You may be a strong fit if you're:

• Passionate about AI, healthcare, and innovation policy
• A strong writer with experience in litigation, legal briefs, or academic research, and comfortable producing white papers, policy memos, and academic-style reports
• Skilled at translating complex legal issues into clear, actionable, policy-relevant writing intended for congressional staff and the press
• Able to respond quickly to press inquiries and requests for advice from congressional committees and regulatory agencies.
• Comfortable working closely with a nationally recognized legal scholar on fast-paced publications and deliverables
• Interested in a role that blends legal research, policy engagement, and public interest impact
• Precise, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively within a small, mission-driven team
• Experienced in data-driven or policy-oriented research, ideally with exposure to legal or regulatory topics
• Eager to grow as a public policy expert or research leader within an academic-policy hybrid environment
• Comfortable managing multiple projects and collaborating effectively with legal scholars, researchers, and students
  

This role requires initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment balancing independent work with close teamwork among mission-aligned colleagues.

BENEFITS

Health and Welfare Benefits

• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts for transportation-related, healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Legal Insurance
• University of California Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans/Pre-tax Retirement Savings Programs

For your Work/Life Balance

• Fifteen paid holidays per year
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Commuter Benefits Program

THE HIRING PROCESS

This position has been designated as “sensitive” and requires a pre-employment background check.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Applicants who meet the position requirements will be competitively evaluated to identify the individuals whose breadth and depth of experience and education most closely relate to the stated requirements and the needs of the College. Depending on the quality and number of the applications received, only the better qualified applicants may be contacted for an interview. The position is open until filled.

The skills listed above are comprehensive, and we understand there are great candidates who possess only a subset of those skills, or who have other important skills. If you match some of these skills, please do not hesitate to apply.

UC Law SF is an equal opportunity employer. UC Law SF strives to provide a diverse and inclusive educational environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding and respect. UC Law SF is interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching. Qualified women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Flexible hours,

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