RP — Research and Public Service Professionals

The University of California employs about 7,000 research and public service professionals (RPSP) across the UC system. Some work in data collection and analysis; others manage research and public service programs, including grant administration. Some work in research centers and institutes, while others are in academic departments and labs.

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) exclusively represents research and public service professionals at UC.

Individuals in the following titles are in this systemwide bargaining unit:

Academic Program Management Officer 
Aerospace Engineer
Bioinformatics Programmer
Clinical Research Analyst
Computational and Data Science Research Specialist 
Curator
Associate Development Engineer
Exhibitions Specialist
Field Researcher
Geographic Information Systems Programmer
Project Management Professional
Project Policy Analyst 
Public Administration Analyst 
Assistant Public Administration Analyst
Principal Public Administration Analyst
Senior Public Administration Analyst
Research Administrator 
Research Compliance Analyst 
Research Data Analyst 
Research Grant Program Officer 
Statistician
Principal Statistician
Senior Statistician
Survey Researcher

This is a newly formed unit, and negotiations for this initial contract began in October of 2025.