Optics Phd Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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: T23 . A reasonable estimate for this position is $71,491 to $79,727
Percent time: 100
Anticipated start: Spring/Summer 2027
Position duration: 2 years with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and availability of funding.
Application Window
Open date: August 14, 2026
Next review date: Friday, Sep 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Sunday, Nov 15, 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
The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at the University of California, Berkeley, seeks applicants for a Postdoctoral Scholar who will be working with Dr. L Claire Gasque and Dr. Brian Harding, specializing in auroral and subauroral optical phenomena.
SSL has a long history of developing and operating space instruments and missions and of using ground-based and space-based observations, numerical models, and scientific software to advance understanding of the space environment. The postdoctoral scholar will join a collaborative geospace research group at SSL broadly investigating magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling.
The postdoctoral research will examine how ionospheric currents and electric fields affect conductivity, chemistry, and energy deposition, and how optical phenomena such as enhanced aurora, Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE), and the picket fence may be used to trace these processes. The work combines ground-based optical measurements, satellite observations, and physics-based numerical modeling.
The postdoctoral scholar will conduct original research on the physical processes governing auroral and subauroral magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling. The scholar will work across two complementary NASA Living With a Star projects and will be encouraged to take intellectual ownership of one or more research components based on their interests and expertise.
Specific responsibilities may include:

• Analyze ground-based optical observations from auroral imagers and spectrographs, including data from the Transition Region Explorer (TREx) network.
• Develop and apply methods to identify and characterize auroral and aurora-like phenomena
• Construct and analyze event catalogs and identify conjunctions between ground-based and satellite observations
• Analyze satellite measurements from missions such as Swarm and DMSP to characterize relevant background plasma conditions, field-aligned currents, electric fields, and particle precipitation
• Develop, adapt, or apply kinetic, chemical, and electrodynamic models of ionosphere-thermosphere coupling under exteme driving to characterize electron energy distributions, conductivity, and optical emissions.
• Develop synthetic optical observations and perform quantitative comparisons between model results and ground-based or satellite measurements.
• Develop well-documented scientific software and reproducible analysis tools, and contribute research software and derived data products to public repositories.
• Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and present results at scientific conferences and LWS team meetings
• Collaborate with members of the two project teams and the broader NASA Living With a Star Focused Science Team.
• Participate in the mentoring of undergraduate or graduate researchers, as appropriate, such as through the SSL ASSURE summer REU program

Department: https://www.ssl.berkeley.edu/
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• PhD (or equivalent international degree)
• No more than 3-years post PhD research experience

Preferred qualifications

• PhD or enrollment in a PhD degree program in physics, astronomy, physical chemistry, applied mathematics, engineering, computational science, or a related field
• Knowledge of physical processes in the ionosphere, thermosphere, magnetosphere, planetary atmospheres, or space plasmas.
• Experience analyzing ground-based or space-based geophysical observations, particularly of aurora or related phenomena.
• Experience developing or applying kinetic, chemical, electrodynamic, or atmospheric models.
• Experience performing model-data comparisons, numerical parameter studies, sensitivity analyses, or uncertainty quantification.
• Strong scientific programming skills, preferably with experience in Python
• Record of publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation of scientific results at conferences
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Interest in mentoring undergraduate or graduate researchers and contributing to an inclusive research environment.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter

Reference requirements

• 2 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05510
Help contact: kimking@berkeley.edu
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