The Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science sponsors this three-year postdoctoral fellowship for researchers in the basic sciences. Fellows conduct independent research on the UC Berkeley campus in the facilities of one or more host academic departments.
About ten to twelve fellows are selected each year. The 2027–2030 cohort must begin between July 1 and September 1, 2027, and award deferrals are not permitted.
Benefits & funding
- A $95,000 first-year stipend with 3% annual increases; the approximate stipend range over the award is $95,000–$106,000.
- A $10,000 annual research fund, producing an initial stipend-and-research package of $105,000.
- Medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, and life-insurance benefits, with a small fellow contribution toward premiums.
- Travel to Berkeley for the fellow and immediate family, plus up to $3,000 to transport personal belongings.
- An estimated total 2027–2030 award value of $378,000, including stipend, Institute-covered benefits, research funding, travel, and relocation support.
- Twenty-four personal days and twelve sick days annually; qualified dependents may receive $2,700 in childcare reimbursement for 2026.
Eligibility
- Candidates must work in the basic sciences and have received, or expect to receive, a Ph.D. between January 1, 2025 and August 31, 2027.
- Candidates may have no more than two years of postdoctoral experience at other institutions by the proposed fellowship start date.
- Anyone previously employed as an assistant, associate, or full professor is ineligible.
- A nominee cannot hold a paid or unpaid UC Berkeley position at nomination or during the competition and award cycle, which may continue through the end of February 2027.
- Candidates cannot apply directly or nominate themselves; a department chair, faculty advisor, professor, or research scientist must submit the nomination.
- All nationalities and places of residence are eligible. Non-U.S. citizens must be eligible for J-1 Scholar status for the fellowship term and must prove English proficiency before award; H-1B status is not supported.
- Invited applicants must identify at least one eligible UC Berkeley faculty host and host department and secure a host support letter.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
PhD Enrolled · PhD
Experience required
≤ 2 yrs
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Application process
- 1A qualified nominator submits the online nomination, candidate details, and a current program-specific letter on institutional letterhead by September 10, 2026.
- 2The Institute reviews the nomination and emails eligible nominees an invitation to apply; direct applications are not accepted.
- 3The invited candidate contacts a potential UC Berkeley host, completes the online form, and uploads a one-page research statement and a CV with publication list.
- 4The applicant registers three references other than the nominator and at least one eligible UC Berkeley faculty host; the host provides a separate support letter.
- 5The complete application, all reference letters, and all host letters must arrive by October 9, 2026.
Program timeline
Online nominations due.
September 10, 2026, 11:59 p.m. UTC−7
Invited applications, reference letters, and faculty-host letters due.
October 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. UTC−7
Mid-December 2026 to end of February 2027
Competition results communicated; awards are offered by February.
Required fellowship start window.
July 1–September 1, 2027
General three-year appointment schedule.
August 1, 2027–July 31, 2030