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Postdoctoral Scholar - High Contrast Imaging - Department of Astronomy

Job #JPF05608
  • Astronomy / 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 for the current salary scale for this position: Postdoc Salary scale t23 A reasonable estimate for this position is $71,491-$85,736
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Spring 2027
Position duration: Two years with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: November 13, 2026

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

Final date: Monday, Dec 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

The Bottom group in the UC Berkeley Department of Astronomy develops instrumentation and techniques for imaging and characterizing exoplanets and circumstellar environments. Our work spans adaptive optics, high-contrast imaging and coronagraphy, wavefront sensing and control, and infrared detector development. We build, test, and deploy instruments, components, and algorithms at major ground-based observatories including W. M. Keck Observatory, and work with collaborators at JPL, Caltech, the University of Hawaii, and industry partners on technology for future space missions, including the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). The group combines laboratory development with on-sky observing.

The postdoctoral scholar will carry out research in high-contrast imaging of exoplanets and circumstellar environments, working at the interface between instrumentation and observation. Duties and responsibilities will include some combination of:

  • Developing, testing, and deploying adaptive optics, wavefront sensing and control, and coronagraphic techniques on ground-based telescopes and instruments (e.g., at Keck and Subaru Observatory).
  • Proposing, planning, and carrying out high-contrast observing programs, and reducing and analyzing the resulting data.
  • Contributing to technology development for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), including laboratory testbed work and modeling and simulation of coronagraph and wavefront control performance.
  • Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
  • Collaborating with team members at Berkeley and partner institutions, and helping mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the group.
  • Occasional travel to observatories and collaborating institutions.

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.
Preferred qualifications
  • PhD in Astronomy, Physics, Optics, Engineering or related field.
  • Research experience in adaptive optics, high-contrast imaging, coronagraphy, and/or wavefront sensing and control.
  • Ideally, a combination of observational experience (e.g., proposing for, carrying out, and/or analyzing high-contrast observations at large ground-based telescopes) and instrumentation experience (e.g., laboratory optics, AO or coronagraph testbeds, instrument integration and commissioning).
  • Familiarity with space-based high-contrast imaging concepts and missions such as HWO or the Roman Coronagraph Instrument.
  • Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python) for data reduction, modeling, and instrument control.
  • A record of peer-reviewed publications in a relevant area.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team, and strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Experience with detectors is welcome but not required.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae - Including publication list

  • Statement of past research and research interests - 1-2 pages

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05608

Help contact: jspitzer@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