Current University of California Postdoctoral Positions 2026: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego & UCSF
The University of California (UC) system is one of the world's most prestigious public university systems, consistently producing groundbreaking research across medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence, life sciences, environmental science, business, and social sciences.
With 10 campuses, thousands of faculty members, and hundreds of research laboratories, the UC system recruits postdoctoral scholars throughout the year. These positions are funded through federal agencies, private foundations, industry collaborations, and university research grants.
Whether you are an early-career researcher in engineering, medicine, computer science, chemistry, biology, or public health, the University of California offers exceptional opportunities to advance your academic career while working with internationally recognized scientists.
Here, we focus on four of the most research-intensive campuses:
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego)
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
We'll cover current postdoctoral opportunities, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and official links to help you apply.
Why Choose the University of California?
The University of California is home to several of the world's highest-ranked universities.
Researchers benefit from:
World-class laboratories
Billions of dollars in annual research funding
International collaborations
State-of-the-art facilities
Competitive salaries
Comprehensive employee benefits
Career development programs
Access to Nobel Prize-winning faculty
Strong industry partnerships
The UC system receives funding from organizations including:
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
NASA
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Private foundations
Industry-sponsored research grants
Benefits of Working as a UC Postdoctoral Scholar
Most University of California postdoctoral appointments include:
Competitive annual salary
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Retirement plans
Paid vacation
Paid sick leave
Family leave benefits
Conference travel support
Research funding opportunities
Professional development workshops
Library access
High-performance computing resources
Benefits may vary depending on the campus and funding source.
Current University of California Postdoctoral Positions (2026)
| Campus | Position | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Postdoctoral Scholar | Rolling Applications |
| UCLA | Postdoctoral Fellow | Open Until Filled |
| UC San Diego | Postdoctoral Researcher | Rolling |
| UCSF | Postdoctoral Scholar | Open Until Filled |
Most UC postdoctoral positions remain open until a qualified candidate is selected.
Applicants should apply as early as possible.
1. University of California, Berkeley – Current Postdoctoral Positions
UC Berkeley is consistently ranked among the world's leading research universities.
The university recruits postdoctoral scholars throughout the year across numerous departments and research centers.
Major Research Areas
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Robotics
Data Science
Computer Science
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Climate Science
Materials Science
Economics
Public Policy
Environmental Science
Eligibility
Applicants should normally have:
PhD completed before the appointment begins.
Strong research experience.
Peer-reviewed publications.
Excellent communication skills.
Application Deadline
Rolling Applications
Most laboratories review applications continuously until the position is filled.
Official Career Portal
https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/
ALSO APPLY: https://www.techlifebucket.com/2026/07/university-of-pennsylvania-postdoctoral.html
2. UCLA – Current Postdoctoral Positions
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is internationally recognized for research excellence in medicine, engineering, public health, neuroscience, and computer science.
Research Areas
Biomedical Sciences
Cancer Biology
Neuroscience
Artificial Intelligence
Public Health
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Psychology
Chemistry
Molecular Biology
Eligibility
Applicants generally require:
PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.
Demonstrated research excellence.
Strong publication record.
Application Deadline
Open Until Filled
Most UCLA laboratories recruit throughout the year.
Official Careers Website
3. UC San Diego – Current Postdoctoral Positions
UC San Diego is one of the largest research universities in the United States and is particularly strong in engineering, medicine, ocean sciences, artificial intelligence, and biological sciences.
Research Areas
Marine Biology
Oceanography
Artificial Intelligence
Bioinformatics
Computer Science
Biomedical Engineering
Neuroscience
Public Health
Climate Science
Eligibility
Applicants should possess:
PhD in a relevant discipline.
Research publications.
Laboratory or computational research experience.
Deadline
Rolling Recruitment
Applications are reviewed continuously.
Official Careers Website
https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/
ALSO APPLY: https://www.techlifebucket.com/2026/07/yale-university-postdoctoral-positions.html
4. UCSF – Current Postdoctoral Positions
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is one of the world's top medical and biomedical research institutions.
It recruits hundreds of postdoctoral researchers every year.
Research Areas
Medicine
Cancer Research
Immunology
Infectious Diseases
Neuroscience
Genetics
Stem Cell Biology
Pharmacology
Biomedical Engineering
Eligibility
Applicants should have:
PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree.
Strong biomedical research experience.
Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Deadline
Open Until Filled
Many positions remain available until suitable candidates are selected.
Official Careers Website
Popular Research Institutes Recruiting Postdoctoral Scholars
Many positions are advertised directly by research institutes instead of central university departments.
Examples include:
UC Berkeley
Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Berkeley Institute for Data Science
UCLA
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
Brain Research Institute
California NanoSystems Institute
UC San Diego
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute
Moores Cancer Center
UCSF
Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Weill Institute for Neurosciences
Gladstone Institutes (affiliated)
Applicants should also monitor institute-specific websites for additional opportunities.
Summary of Current Postdoctoral Positions
| University | Major Research Areas | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | AI, Engineering, Physics, Climate Science | Rolling |
| UCLA | Medicine, Neuroscience, Engineering | Until Filled |
| UC San Diego | AI, Ocean Science, Public Health | Rolling |
| UCSF | Medicine, Cancer Biology, Immunology | Until Filled |
Official Application Links
UC Berkeley Academic Recruitment
https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/
UCLA Academic Recruit
UC San Diego Academic Recruit
https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/
UCSF Academic Recruit
University of California Academic Careers
https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/
Tips Before You Apply
Before submitting your application:
Read the job description carefully.
Tailor your CV and cover letter to the specific laboratory.
Highlight publications, technical expertise, and research achievements.
Contact the principal investigator if inquiries are encouraged.
Apply early, as many positions are filled on a rolling basis.
Prepare strong recommendation letters from academic referees.
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