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Postdoctoral Scholar - Physics

Job #JPF05206
  • Physics / College of Letters & Science - Mathematical & Physical Sciences / UC Berkeley

Position overview

Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is $70,000 - $80,000.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Summer 2026
Position duration: 2 years with the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding

Application Window

Open date: January 14, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Jan 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Birge Physics Laboratory, on UC Berkeley campus.

This position will be in the dark matter direct detection group in the Physics Department of UC Berkeley, working with Professor Daniel McKinsey and Professor Matt Pyle.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Scholar position in the area of experimental astroparticle physics in the Department of Physics at the University of California, Berkeley. Research will focus on TESSERACT dark matter detector development and testing, the construction, commissioning, and operation of the TESSERACT experiment at the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane, analysis of TESSERACT data, and related R&D.

Responsibilities of the position will also include assigned data analysis, contributing to manuscripts, and providing training for students in the group.

Labor Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/px/index.html

Professor Daniel McKinsey: https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/daniel-mckinsey

Professor Matt Pyle: https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/matt-pyle

TESSERACT experiment: https://tesseract.lbl.gov/

Physics Department: https://physics.berkeley.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • PhD, or equivalent international degree, or enrolled in a PhD or equivalent international degree granting program
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
  • PhD (or equivalent international degree)
  • No more than three years of post-degree research experience by start date
Preferred qualifications
  • PhD degree or equivalent international degree in Physics or Astrophysics field is required by the start date
  • Strong programming skills (e.g., Python) for scientific computing and simulation
  • Experience with cryogenic instrumentation
  • Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: 1) Low-temperature bolometric or calorimetric readout techniques 2) Superconducting electronics 3) Methods for achieving low radioactive backgrounds 4) Data analysis: Experience with instrumentation data analysis software and algorithms

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae with Publication List - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research - Maximum 3 pages Statement of Research summarizing research interests and professional goals. Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05206

Help contact: daniel.mckinsey@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

Job location

Berkeley, CA