Northern California HERC

Postdoctoral Scholar - Space Sciences Laboratory - UC Berkeley

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 Salary Scale. A reasonable estimate for this position is $70,902-$79,014.

Percent time: 100

Anticipated start: Summer/Fall 2026

Position duration: 2 years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding.

Application Window
Open date: May 8, 2026

Next review date: Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Oct 1, 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 is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar who will work with Drs. Andrew Poppe and Lucas Liuzzo as part of a NASA Precursor Science Investigations for Europa (PSIE) award to model Europa's neutral atmosphere and its interaction with the jovian magnetosphere.

The postdoc will be responsible for simulating Europa's plasma interaction over a wide range of conditions using an established hybrid plasma model. This project will use modeling results for Europa's neutral atmosphere produced by a Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) as input for ionospheric production. Hybrid model runs will also explore the range of jovian plasma parameters that govern Europa's plasma interaction. Additional responsibilities include assembly and maintenance of the library of hybrid simulation results, delivery of the hybrid model results into a graphical user interface, presentation of results at appropriate scientific workshops and conferences, and preparation and submission of scientific manuscripts to appropriate peer-reviewed journals.

Department: https://www.ssl.berkeley.edu/

Lab: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/missions/europa-clipper/

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
Familiarity with space plasma interactions with planetary surfaces, particularly within the Jovian system, including knowledge of outer planet moon exospheres and atmospheres, as well as experience with modeling moon-plasma interactions using numerical and computational methods.

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.
  (Optional)
  

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration.
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05361

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


To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05361









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About University of California Berkeley

The University of California was chartered in 1868 and its flagship campus - envisioned as a "City of Learning" - was established at Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay. Today the world's premier public university and a wellspring of innovation, UC Berkeley occupies a 1,232 acre campus with a sylvan 178-acre central core. From this home its academic community makes key contributions to the economic and social well-being of the Bay Area, California, and the nation.

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