Postdoctoral Scholar

LBL • $69K — $109K *
San Francisco, CA 94112In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Recent Ph.D. in physics or related field.
  • Experience in developing, designing, and debugging experimental apparatus.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
  • Published in peer-reviewed journals with a focus on precision measurements in fundamental physics.

Responsibilities

  • Assist in designing and developing cesium EDM apparatus for experiments.
  • Plan and conduct experiments, collecting and analyzing data while making presentations.
  • Support new techniques for high electric fields and measuring cesium properties.
  • Collaborate closely with LBNL staff and external partners.
  • Communicate results through internal documents and peer-reviewed publications.
  • Promote safety and adhere to environmental protocols in all work processes.

Benefits

  • Full-time 2-year postdoctoral appointment with potential for renewal.
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in fundamental physics.
  • Engage in mentoring graduate students alongside experienced scientists.
  • Collaborative environment with engineers, technicians, and scientists.
  • Access to Berkeley Lab's state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
Full Job Description
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Scholar within the Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics (ATAP) division. This position will work in the Electron Electric Dipole Moment (EDM) Research Group in the Fusion Energy & Ion Beam Technologies program. The Postdoctoral Scholar will perform cesium EDM atom fountain experiments at Berkeley Lab to test Beyond Standard Model predictions of electron EDMs that often accompany predictions of Dark Matter Candidates.

You will:
  • Assist in the design, development, assembly, debugging, and operation of new cesium fountain electron EDM apparatus, and under direct supervision plan experiments and collect and analyze data from these experiments, make presentations, and write papers on electron EDM experiments as part of a team.
  • Perform supporting activities including assisting in the development of new techniques such as for maintaining high electric fields and new experiments such as for measuring cesium polarizability, and magnetic shielding properties, also as part of a team.
  • Work closely with LBNL staff scientists, engineers, technicians, affiliates, Postdocs, students, and collaborators from other institutions.
  • Communicate results through internal documents, internal and external presentations, and peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognized physics journals.
  • Proactively promote and participate in matters relating to safety and environmentally sensitive work practices including adherence to ES&H policies and required training.


We are looking for:
  • Recent Ph.D. degree in physics or related field.
  • Experience in the development, design, construction, testing, and debugging of experimental apparatus used in research.
  • The ability to work effectively in a team that includes engineers, technicians, scientific staff, students, and collaborators, and communicate effectively with all.
  • Demonstrated interest in fundamental physics and experience in performing precision measurements (for example, dark matter searches, axion searches, neutrino experiments, etc.) as evidenced by publications in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals.


Desired skills/knowledge:
  • Experience working on a group project that includes engineers and/or technicians.
  • Experience supervising graduate students.
  • Experience including subject matter expertise in one or more of the technologies that may add to our capabilities in developing the EDM experiments, such as:
    • High Voltage Engineering
    • Photosensors
    • Control system and data acquisition (including system design, implementation, and debugging),
    • Analog and digital electronics, including noise, interference, and ground loop suppression.
  • Knowledge of related experiments on dark matter, axions, and EDMs.
  • May mentor graduate students in unison with other group members.


Additional information:
  • Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by June 29, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
  • Appointment type: This is a full-time 2 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
  • Salary range: The monthly salary range for this position is $5,756 - $9,136/month and is expected to start at $7,987/month or above based on a step schedule. Postdoctoral 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.
  • Background check: This position is 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.
  • Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at:Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
  • Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.


Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

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