2024 Owen Chamberlain Fellowships in Experimental Particle Physics and Cosmology

The Physics Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) announces the competition for the 2024 Owen Chamberlain Fellowships in Experimental Particle Physics and Cosmology. The Fellowship is named after Berkeley Nobel Laureate Owen Chamberlain, who, together with Emilio Segrè, Clyde Wiegand, and Thomas Ypsilantis, discovered the anti-proton at the Berkeley Bevatron in 1955.  

The Physics Division has a long tradition of advanced instrument and detector development, computational research (including machine learning), cosmology simulation and analysis, quantum information (sensing and computing), detector R&D, and microelectronics.  Our experimental portfolio encompasses high-energy collider physics (ATLAS), neutrino physics (DUNE), direct detection of dark matter (LZ and TESSERACT), rare and precision physics (Mu2e), and experimental cosmology (DESI, Rubin Observatory DESC, Type Ia Supernovæ, Simons Observatory, and CMB-S4). For an overview of the research activities at the lab, please see www.physics.lbl.gov.

Chamberlain Fellows are appointed for 3 years, with the possibility of a 2-year renewal based upon satisfactory job performance and continuing availability of funds. Appointments may start during the 2024 calendar year. Appointees will receive an annual research supplement of $10,000 in addition to the support from the research group. Applicants will also automatically be considered for other experimental postdoctoral positions available in the Berkeley Lab Physics Division. More information on the Chamberlain Fellowships is available here. 

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments.

The posting shall remain open until the position is filled, however for full consideration, please apply by October 15, 2023. Ideally, all reference letters should be included in the file by this date. 

What You Will Do:

• Work on one or more existing projects in High Energy Particle Physics or Cosmology; or in Quantum Information Science or apply Machine Learning techniques to these fields. Focus should be on innovative experimental design, construction, execution, and simulation or analysis of data,

• Conduct original research independently and in collaboration,

• Collaborate with other investigators working on similar or related scientific problems,

• Prepare research papers for publication,

• Present research findings at seminars and conferences,

• Support the LBNL IDEA initiative and participate in outreach activities.

What is Required:

• Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or a related field, or should expect to receive their Ph.D. by the time the appointment begins,

• Candidates should have no more than twenty four months in a prior postdoctoral appointment when the appointment begins,

• Evidence of potential for a high level of achievement as an independent researcher,

• Ability to work as a team member to accomplish goals.

How To Apply:

Please visit Academic Jobs Online to create a profile and submit the requested application materials. Note that applications can only be submitted via this Academic Jobs Online URL:https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25429.

The following requested application materials listed below must be submitted through Academic Jobs Online:

1. Curriculum vitæ,

2. A list of up to ten relevant publications, including contributions for multi-author publications,

3. A statement describing current and future research interests (3-page limit excluding figures and references),

4. A statement describing past activities and future interests in diversity, outreach and leadership (1 page maximum),

5. Arrange to have at least three letters of reference submitted (at least one reference from outside LBNL/UC Berkeley).

Salary: 

The monthly salary range for this position is $5,374 - $6,450 and is expected to start at $ 6,137 or above. These ranges are subject to increase for the new FY24, effective October 1, 2023. 

The Chamberlain Fellows positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience.

Notes:

• This is a full-time, M-F, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid),  3-year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, and continuing availability of funds,  

• You must have no more than twenty four months of paid postdoctoral experience when first assuming the position, and any extension is subject to the constraint of spending no more than five years total in a postdoctoral appointment,

• Salary for postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree and will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates,

• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes,

• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment,

• The primary location for this appointment will be the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.  Research may be conducted at other experimental sites as needed, including but not limited to CERN (Geneva, Switzerland), Atacama (Chile), Fermilab (Illinois), SURF (S. Dakota), and Kitt Peak (Arizona).

Berkeley Lab’s Postdoc Program is committed to providing Postdoctoral Researchers and Visiting scholars with a positive and impactful experience to jump-start their career through premium research and career development, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and a strong community.  For more information, please visit our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Resources site and our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association site.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links: Know your rights, click here for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.