UC Berkeley Physics has a large and diverse group of postdoctoral associates and fellows working within our various groups and laboratories. As of Spring 2024, we are currently hosting over 100 postdocs working directly with Physics faculty, both on campus and at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.
Our postdocs are active members of our community: producing cutting-edge scientific results, contributing integrally to the mentoring of our graduate and undergraduate students in their research groups, and impacting the broader community via outreach and teaching efforts. They also represent a vast collaborative network, bringing close ties to the work of neighboring departments -- such as Chemistry, Astronomy, and Material Sciences -- as well as connecting strongly to many facets of research conducted at LBNL.
Happy hour and conversations often happen organically among our postdocs, but organized social events began in 2022 with the Physics Postdoc Science Talks. Postdoc, Dr. Zara Bagdasarian organizes the science talk series in which postdoc scholars have freedom in their choice of topics - it can be results they are proud of, works in progress (or in struggle!) or any other original ideas they are working on. If a postdoc scholar in Physics would like to give a short 15 minute informal talk, email Zara at zara.bagdasarian@berkeley.edu. Talks are followed by a small reception. In Fall 2022, a postdoc social gathering will begin monthly. For more information contact postdoc, Dr. Erin Hansen for more information evhansen@berkeley.edu
If you or any postdoc colleague you know at Berkeley Physics has recent papers, publications, honors, or fellowships, let us know by visiting this link. We would love to highlight your accomplishment on this page.
Useful Links:
The Professional Development site offers advice from professionals, and a professional development timeline.
The Postdoc Teaching Opportunities Program (PTOP) allows UC Berkeley postdocs across all disciplines to acquire experience and expertise in teaching college level courses at community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and universities in the Bay Area.
The Berkeley Center for Teaching and Learning provides consultation for postdocs whose role includes any kind teaching. They serve as subject matter experts on pedagogy and thought partners on all aspects of teaching.
Postdocs are eligible for nearly all Career Center Services offered to registered Cal students including access to Handshake (includes job listings), counseling, workshops, career fairs, and other employer events.
The Berkeley Visiting Scholar & Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) site offers links to presentations they have given on a variety of topics such as job searches and negotiating long-distance moves.
The Mathematical & Physical Sciences Graduate Diversity Office, led by Director Colette Patt, is available to offer mentor training.