Position title: Postdoc

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: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/oct-2024-scales/t23.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is between $66,737 and $80,000.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: July 1, 2025

Position duration: Two years with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and availability of funding

The van Bibber Lab at University of California, Berkeley (UCB) is accepting applications for a postdoctoral researcher in the area of particle astrophysics, and the search for ultralight dark matter, particularly the axion or axion-like particles.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will participate in one or more of several experimental ongoing dark matter searches within the van Bibber group (HAYSTAC, DM Radio, ALPHA, Green Bank Telescope data-mining, and supporting technology development). This work will involve R&D on novel microwave resonators, metamaterials, superconducting magnets, data analysis, and dissemination of results through publications and conference presentations. The postdoc will travel periodically for collaborative work at partner universities and laboratories. An important duty of the position is mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students in the group. The postdoc is expected to prepare research results for publication in peer-reviewed journals and provide presentation of research results at conferences/meetings.

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.

The candidate should have no more than three years of post-degree research experience.

Preferred qualificationsPh.D. in Physics or Engineering, particularly Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

Fields relevant to the research are Experimental Physics (especially particle physics, nuclear physics, astronomy, astrophysics, and quantum information science and technology), Mechanical Engineering (especially mechanical design), and Electrical Engineering (especially microwave engineering).

Proficiency in computing languages is essential (e.g. Python, MatLab), as is expertise with standard simulation codes (e.g. COMSOL, Microwave Studio, HFSS) or the ability to rapidly develop expertise in commercial codes.

Signal processing and statistical analysis of data are strongly preferred qualifications.