Chamberlain Fellow

The Physics Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) announces the competition for the 2027 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, cosmology (instrumentation, simulation and data analysis). In addition, the Division’s program has world-leading efforts in particle theory, advanced instrumentation (detector development and microelectronics), quantum information science (sensing and simulations), and artificial intelligence/machine learning.

Research areas of specific interest for the 2027 Chamberlain search include (1) cosmology, (2) direct searches for dark matter,
3) rare event searches with quantum sensors, and (4) quantum simulation, each in connection with the LBNL Physics Division research program. For an overview of research activities, 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 typically start in September 2027. 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 .

• 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.

• 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.

The Berkeley Lab mission is to bring science solutions to the world. Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and postdoctoral benefits
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers) and pet insurance

• Appointment type: This is a full-time 3 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. 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 range: The salary range for this position is $6,777 - $7,145 per month. The Chamberlain Fellow 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.
• Union represented: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining…