Postdoc – Theoretical Neuroscience – Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute
Position overview
Position title: PostdocApplication Window
Open date: February 23, 2026
Next review date: Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Mar 25, 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
The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a Postdoc in the Bouchard Lab, in the area of theoretical neuroscience. The Bouchard lab at UC Berkeley is an interdisciplinary team that focuses on understanding how distributed neural circuits give rise to coordinated behaviors and perceptions. There will be collaboration with the lab members at LBNL. We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher to work at the interface of control theory, information theory, dynamical systems, statistical machine learning, and neural time-series data. The goal is to better understand principles and mechanisms underlying distributed brain network computations through the dual lenses of control theory and information theory. This position will focus on developing and applying theory, models, and methods that provide principled understanding of simultaneous multi-region, high-dimensional neural population dynamics from diverse brain areas.
The position is located at UC Berkeley (UCB), in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and is part of a broader collaborative effort between UCSF, LBNL, UCB, and UC Davis. This Bay Area collaboration combines UCSF/UCD's strong clinical and experimental neuroscience experience with in vivo cortical electrophysiology, UCB's expertise in theoretical neuroscience, statistical learning and data analysis, LBNL's supercomputing and applied mathematics together with electronics and micro-fabrication. Successful applicants will have access to the full range of facilities and expertise uniquely allowed by this collaboration.
Responsibilities:
● designing and executing theory, models, methods
● application of developed theory, models, methods to neural population dynamic data
● manuscript preparation
● presenting research at lab meetings and scientific conferences
● contributing to grant proposals
● mentoring students
Qualifications
PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program.
- PhD (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date.
- No more than three years of post-degree research experience by start date.
- Expertise in theoretical neuroscience
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Strong publication record in peer reviewed journals
- PhD in neuroscience, computer science, physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, etc.,
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and applying methods for the analysis of neural population data.
- Experience in control theory, information theory, and/or machine learning desirable, required.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Statement of Research
- 3 required (contact information only)
Help contact: kebouchard@lbl.gov
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.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment