PhD Scholarships and Postdoc Positions at University of California, Berkeley

29 June 2023

The pursuit of knowledge and intellectual growth has long been at the core of academic institutions, and few places embody this spirit better than the University of California, Berkeley. Renowned for its exceptional faculty, groundbreaking research, and vibrant intellectual community, UC Berkeley offers an array of opportunities for aspiring scholars to embark on their academic journey. In this post, we have compiled all the necessary details regarding PhD scholarships and current academic job opportunities such as Postdoc Positions at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) in the United States.

The University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley, commonly referred to as UC Berkeley or simply Berkeley, is a prestigious public research university located in Berkeley, California. Founded in 1868, it is the flagship campus of the University of California system and is widely recognized as one of the top universities in the world.

PhD Scholarships at UC Berkeley:

UC Berkeley is committed to fostering academic excellence and supports a wide range of PhD programs across diverse disciplines. The university offers numerous scholarships, fellowships, and grants to attract exceptional students and ensure their financial needs are met. Here are a few notable scholarship opportunities:

Title: Doctoral Completion Fellowship (DCF)

The Doctoral Completion Fellowship (DCF) provides an incentive for students in certain graduate programs to complete their degree within a reasonable time. The DCF applies only to students admitted in Fall 2010 or later, in specific programs eligible for the fellowship.

The fellowship pays in-state tuition and a stipend for two semesters. Recipients of the DCF are limited to working, on average, no more than 25% time across the two semesters of DCF funding (e.g., 50% during one of the two semesters or 25% during both). No other positions or appointments may be held.

Eligible majors were selected after analysis of net stipends received by doctoral students in the program, recourse to loans by students in the program, and challenges with respect to time to degree and completion rate. Eligible majors were required to submit plans for improved advising and professional development of students; these plans were reviewed and approved by the Dean of the Graduate Division.  Program eligibility is subject to review and could be discontinued.

Eligibility for the DCF

  • Students must be advanced to candidacy, no later than in the previous semester
  • Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Students must have completed a satisfactory online Doctoral Candidacy Review for the most recently completed academic year
  • Students must have participated in PhD completion activities or in other requirements, as directed by their program
  • Students must apply for at least one external fellowship in order to be eligible for the DCF. DCF eligibility is not contingent upon winning an external fellowship, nor would the receipt of external funding in any way affect a student’s eligibility for a DCF. This requirement is intended to enhance students’ intellectual and professional development by making them aware of funding opportunities and working with their advisors to prepare application materials. International students are exempt from this condition, however, because there typically are very few external fellowships for which international students are eligible.

External fellowships are those awarded and funded by a non-campus organization, agency, or foundation and not open only to Berkeley students. Students must apply to the awarding organization and, if selected by that organization, funds are generally disbursed directly to the fellow.

Timetable for Using the DCF

Eligible students may use the fellowship at any time after advancement to candidacy, through the end of the year Normative Time to Degree (NTD) plus one year. Programs may establish more specific guidelines regarding the advisable timing for their students to use the DCF, which will normally be a dissertation writing year, not a research year. Learn more.

Title: The Chancellor’s Fellowshis

The Chancellor’s Fellowships are highly prestigious and competitive awards that provide multi-year financial support to exceptional doctoral students. Recipients receive a combination of stipend, tuition remission, and other benefits.

Purpose:

To support outstanding students in the humanities and social sciences.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be advanced to candidacy at the time of the award and expect to finish their dissertations during the fellowship year.

Quantity Available: 13

Frequency: Annual

Study Length: 1 year

Award Value:

Awards will include a living stipend of $20,500, payment of fees, and a travel allowance; an additional $3,000 stipend will be paid to fellows who file their dissertations by May 16th. Learn More.

Title: The Departmental Scholarships

Many departments within UC Berkeley offer scholarships and assistantships specific to their respective fields of study. Prospective students should explore departmental websites and reach out to faculty members to inquire about available funding opportunities. On the Department page, you can find available PhD Scholarships.

Postdoctoral Positions at UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is renowned for its world-class faculty, whose cutting-edge research and teaching inspire students and shape global academia. For aspiring academics, securing an academic job at UC Berkeley is a coveted opportunity. Here are a few available Academic Jobs and Postdoc Positions:

Postdoc Positions at VC Res Other Research Units / QB3 Institute

Title: Postdoc -Bioengineering -Herr Lab-QB3 Institute

Position title: Bioengineering Postdoctoral Fellow

Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. The current minimum salary range for this position is $60,000 – $71,952. Salaries above the minimum may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

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

Deadline: 16.04.2024

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Herr Lab at the University of California, Berkeley is seeking Postdoctoral Scholars aiming to gain expertise in design of emerging measurement tools for single-cell biology and biomedicine. Successful applicants will create bioanalytical tools designed for multi-omics (measuring multiple biomolecular types in the same cell), sub-cellular and organelle analyses, and/or spatial profiling across tissues. Driving biological questions span the fundamental life & environmental sciences to clinical translation. Projects are funded by NIH NCI and CZ Biohub San Francisco.

The successful applicants will gain experience in the design, microfabrication, and experimental characterization/testing of novel bioanalytical tools and application to high-impact biological and biomedical questions in partnership with multidisciplinary collaborators.

Job Responsibilities:
Specific responsibilities will include understanding and refining unmet needs driving innovation; design and development of devices and data analysis tools (in some projects including single-cell sequencing and mass spectrometry); experimental validation and design iteration; project management, and development of intellectual property (prior experience not necessary); communication of results through presentations and peer-reviewed publications; and experience developing grant applications in partnership with the PI.

Support in seeking individual fellowships at the national and international level will be offered.

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) required by the appointment start date.

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, bioengineering/biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or similar fields.
• Strong proficiency in microfluidic device design and micro/nanofabrication, with an eye for elegant solutions.
• Advanced proficiency in designing, conducting, and analyzing experiments involving bioanalytical tools and/or microfluidic/MEMS devices with high standards for rigor.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and interest in mentoring including providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Ability and desire to work within a team of interdisciplinary researchers as a team member, mentor, and technical leader in a vibrant, supportive environment.

Learn More and Apply.

Open Academic Positions at various Universities in the USA

If you haven’t come across a PhD or Postdoc position aligned with your profile but remain interested in pursuing a PhD or Postdoc opportunity in the United States, we have compiled a list of available positions at other American universities. You can find below, which will direct you to dedicated pages for each university. On these pages, you will discover the most up-to-date postdoc vacancies offered by each institution. Please note that these openings will be regularly updated.

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