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Postdoctoral Employee - Department of Physics

Position overview
Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf. The current minimum salary range for this position is $69,073 - $74,281 annually. Salaries above the minimum may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100

Anticipated start: Sep 1, 2026

Position duration: 2 years with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding

Application Window
Open date: December 17, 2025

Next review date: Sunday, Jan 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Jan 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

"Quantum Invisible Particle Sensor" - QuIPS experiement is a collborative project between two professors Professor Daniel Carney and Professor Stamper -Kurn.

The quantum measurement group led by Daniel Carney at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab studies measurement at the limits of what quantum mechanics allows. We work at all levels from theory to experiment, and collaborate broadly with groups from many areas of physics and beyond. Much of our research is motivated by problems in fundamental physics: searches for the most elementary constituents of nature, measurements of the basic constants of reality, and tests of the quantum nature of gravity.

The Stamper-Kurn group at the University of California, Berkeley focuses on using ultracold atoms, ultracold molecules, and light, to construct novel quantum mechanical systems, and then to use these systems to study fundamental quantum science, with applications towards chemistry, condensed-matter physics, many-body physics, material science, quantum information science, quantum and precision measurement, and quantum optics.

We are seeking a postdoc to carry out experimental work in a new effort to use levitated optomechanics to measure nuclear beta decays and search for new physics Beyond the Standard Model.

We are seeking up to two postdoctoral researchers who will lead the construction and operation of a new levitated optomechanics setup, which will eventually be integrated with a silicon pixel beta electron detector already constructed at Berkeley Lab.

The position will be held jointly between UCB and LBL and physically located primarily at LBL.

union: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/resources/employment-policies-contracts/bargaining-units/postdoctoral-scholars/contract/

Lab: https://quantum-measurement.lbl.gov

Lab: http://ultracold.physics.berkeley.edu/

Experiment: https://quantum-measurement.lbl.gov/our-work/quips-experiment

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
PhD degree or equivalent international degree, or enrolled in a PhD or equivalent international degree granting program

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
PhD degree or equivalent international degree. No more than three years of post PhD research experience.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with quantum optics and/or particle/nuclear physics, or both.
• Candidates with expertise in quantum optics, optomechanics, trapped atoms, and particle/nuclear physics based on quantum detection methods are particularly encouraged to apply.
• The successful candidate will be able to work independently, as well as in a team setting with project-oriented guidance.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research.

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05182

Help contact: carney@lbl.gov

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

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.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Berkeley, CA


To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05182