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Assistant Researcher - Physics Department

Job #JPF05300
  • Physics / College of Letters & Science - Mathematical & Physical Sciences / UC Berkeley

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Researcher
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 13 for the current salary scale for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $93,400 - $122,100.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: July 2026
Position duration: One year with the possibility of an extension depending on performance and continuation of appropriate funding.

Application Window

Open date: March 9, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Mar 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Apr 10, 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 Perlmutter Lab at UC Berkeley is seeking applications for an Assistant Researcher that specializes in the analysis of wide-field imaging and spectroscopic data from ground-based (e.g., Subaru/HSC) and space-based observatories (e.g., HST, JWST, and the recently announced Lazuli), as well as the design and planning of related observing programs.

The Assistant Researcher will be charged with performing independent research aimed at improving the precision and accuracy of observational cosmology experiments, namely those that rely on measuring luminosity distance with redshift, and particularly measurements of the expansion rate. The candidate will lead efforts to develop and/or adapt cutting-edge image analysis and statistical techniques for the purpose of improving the precision of such luminosity distance cosmology experiments, with a lean toward space-based datasets.

We expect the candidate to play a leadership role in this research, which is expected to require a small to mid-size research effort involving grad students and/or postdocs, and ideally multiple funding sources. They will present their research at inter/national conferences and publish work in peer-reviewed journals, either as lead author or in a mentorship role to others.

The Assistant Researcher’s routes of inquiry would help advance key UC Berkeley cosmology initiatives, in part by bringing together a range of experts who can apply novel advanced statistical techniques not typically deployed in the field.

Lab Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/resources/employment-policies-contracts/bargaining-units/academic-researchers/contract/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. or equivalent International Degree.

Preferred qualifications
  • At least three years of post-doctoral experience, with a significant amount having been performed independently.
  • Expert in observational cosmology, in particular in the measurement of extragalactic distances using, e.g., Type Ia supernovae, Cepheid variable stars, and/or Tip of the Red Giant Branch.
  • Expertise with processing and analyzing imaging data from space telescope facilities such as the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes.
  • Expert in the identification and control of systematic errors in observational cosmology experiments.
  • Strong publication record at well-respected journals.
  • Experience mentoring students and junior colleagues.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Research

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05300

Help contact: leisa@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