Chamberlain Fellow

The Physics Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) announces the competition for the 2026 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’s experimental portfolio encompasses high-energy collider physics, neutrino physics, direct detection of dark matter, rare and precision physics, and experimental cosmology (instrumentation, simulation and data analysis).  In addition, the Division’s program has world-leading efforts in advanced instrumentation (detector development and microelectronics), quantum information science (sensing and simulations), and artificial intelligence/machine learning. 

Research areas highlighted for 2026 include ATLAS, rare event searches with quantum sensors, DUNE applications of AI/ML, and future collider detector development. AI/ML (including Hardware AI), quantum sensing, and microelectronics are critical technologies of interest. 

For an overview of other 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 2026 calendar year. Appointees will receive an annual research supplement of $10,000 in addition to the support from the research group. Background information on the Chamberlain Fellowship is available here. 

The posting shall remain open until the position is filled, however for full consideration, please apply by October 24, 2025. All reference letters should be included in the file by this date. 

What You Will Do:

• Work on one or more existing projects in the Physics Division.
• Conduct research with a focus 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.

What is Required:

• Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Physics 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/30491

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 maximum excluding figures and references),
4. 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 $5,562 - $6,774 and is expected to start at $ 6,446 or above. These ranges are subject to increase for the new FY26, effective October 1, 2025. 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).  A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

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

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich 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, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.