"Postdoctoral Employee - Physics/Astrophysics - Physics Department"

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/2024-25/oct-2024-scales/t23.pdf. The current minimum salary range for this position is $66,737-$74,425. Salaries above the minimum may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Fall 2025

Position duration: 2 years with possibility of extension

Application Window

Open date: August 13, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Oct 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 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

Saul Perlmutter is Professor of Physics at UC Berkeley and Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), where he is the leader of the international Supernova Cosmology Project, among other initiatives. This position will work with research scientists, engineers, and data scientists and other scholars within his academic and research communities.

We are seeking one or more applicants to develop forward modeling software and a characterization and calibration plan for a new space-based astronomical image slicing spectrograph. The goal is to create and apply a 'digital twin' of the as-built system to simulate and optimize its performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing forward modeling software to simulate the spectrograph's behavior.
• Designing and executing a characterization and calibration plan for the instrument.
• Collaborating on the creation of a digital twin to mirror the physical system's performance.

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

Qualifications

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.

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in physics or astrophysics field.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python) for scientific computing and simulation.
• Familiarity with machine learning (ML) techniques for optimizing models or analyzing complex datasets.
• Experience with space-based instrumentation or similar high-precision systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: 1) Optical modeling: Ray-trace optics, diffractive optics, and stray light analysis. 2) Thermal analysis: Thermal emission modeling and its impact on instrument performance. 3) Detector systems: Characterization and modeling of HxRG detector readout schemes and analysis protocols. 4) Data analysis: Experience with instrumentation data analysis software and algorithms.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Examples of relevant work

Reference requirements
3 required (contact information only)