Department: Labor Education and Research Center
FTE: 0.49
Terms: Fall Winter Spring
Academic Year: 2025-26
Duties:
The GE will assist LERC faculty with research and some programmatic work. This may include literature reviews, quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, and review of survey data related to faculty projects on employment and labor union issues. Duties may also include conducting interviews or participating in meetings with constituents and public officials. Some weekend and evening work may be required. The GE will be provided private office space, telephone and a computer in the LERC office. GE’s will be credited as co-authors on reports they contribute to.
Specific projects for the coming year may include research work related to economic inequality and public policy issues impacting Oregon workers. Previous research work that GE’s participated in has included studies of care workers, the impact of corporate tax breaks on public services, the impact of unpredictable scheduling on working parents, the impact of AI on Oregon jobs, and the state’s transition to a green-energy economy. Additional assignments in 2025-26 might include assisting with LERC’s weeklong Collective Bargaining Institute or other major conferences.
Preferred Qualifications:
Strong qualitative and quantitative social science research, statistical analysis, and writing skills. Position requires ability to simultaneously manage multiple assignments. Ability to understand and synthesize employment and demographic data. Data scraping ability in assembling large data sets is a plus. It is preferred that the GE has a demonstrated interest in, and experience working on, issues related to economic inequality, low wage economy, labor and social organizing movements, workplace rights, or related subjects.
Application Procedure:
Interested applicants should submit: a letter of interest addressed to Professor Gordon Lafer, current resume, names and contact information for 3 references and a brief (not to exceed 5 pages) writing sample from recent research as part of the application. This writing sample can be an excerpt from a longer paper and should demonstrate your analytical and writing skills. Complete applications should be emailed to LERC’s Program Manager, Jennifer Smith, at jjsmith@uoregon.edu. Questions may also be addressed to Jennifer Smith via email or call 541-346-5054. Please visit our website lerc.uoregon.edu for more information on LERC.
Students from diverse identities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The University of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the American with Disabilities Act.
Application Email: jjsmith@uoregon.edu
Deadline Date: Wednesday, 2025-04-30
Open Until Filled: Yes
Open Until Filled, Review Begins On: Thursday, 2025-05-01
Contact Information:
Jennifer Smith
1675 Agate St
Eugene, OR 97403