EXP Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Caltech Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy (PMA) offers several endowed fellowships for distinguished postdoctoral scholars through its Experimental Physics and Astrophysics (EXP) Fellowship Program. Current fellowships include the Brinson, David & Ellen Lee, Clark B. Millikan, B. Thomas Soifer, Troesh, Barish-Weiss, and Braginsky-Whitcomb Fellowships.
The EXP program supports innovative experimental research across a broad range of fields, including Astrophysics, Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics (AMO), Biophysics, Condensed Matter and Soft Condensed Matter Physics, Cosmology, Gravitational Physics, High Energy and Low-Energy Particle Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Quantum Information.
Fellows are expected to conduct their research in affiliation with one of Caltech PMA's established experimental groups. Candidates in astrophysics must have a primary focus on instrumentation and/or experimental laboratory work to be eligible.
Applications open annually on September 1 on Academic Jobs Online.
- PhD in Physics, Astronomy, or related field (completed or expected by start date)
- Eligibility extends to current postdoctoral scholars
- Appointment term: 3 years
- Salary: $85,000 in the first year
- Research fund: $10,000 per annum
- One-time allowance to assist with the move
- Annual vacations: 21 days (plus Caltech Holidays)
- Annual sick leave: 15 days
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
Learn more about Caltech benefits
- September 1: Applications are accepted
- November 1: Deadline for applications, including reference letters
- Mid-December – End of February: Offers
- Status of hiring process updated in Academic Jobs Online directly
Applications are accepted via the Academic Jobs Online portal only.
The following materials are required:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research statement
- Publication list
- Three reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site)
Electronic copies of the curriculum vitae, publications list (refereed papers on top), and statement of research interests are required. The research statement should be no more than 5 pages, excluding references. The applicant is requested to ensure that at least three letters of recommendation are submitted on their behalf.
- James Cheshire, 2024-2027 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Astrophysics - Clarissa Do O, 2025-2028 B. Thomas Soifer Fellow
Astronomy - Cole Kampa, 2025-2028 Troesh Fellow
High Energy Physics - Kangheun Kim, 2026-2029 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics - Guillem Megias Homar, 2025-2028 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Astrophysics - Andrea Lin, 2024-2027 Troesh Fellow
Astronomy - Junwen Xiong, 2024-2027 Brinson Fellow
Low-Energy Particle Physics - Guoxin Zheng, 2025-2028 Clark B. Millikan Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
- Karia Dibert, Currently a 2026-2028 NASA Hubble Fellow, 2029-2031 EXP Fellow
Radio/mm/submm Astrophysics - Jonathan Mushkin, 2026-2029 Braginsky-Whitcomb Fellow
Gravitational Physics - Yichen Zhang, 2026-2029 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
- Ashley Baker, 2020-2022 Troesh Fellow
Astronomy
Instrument Scientist, Caltech - Carina Belvin, 2022-2025 Clark B. Millikan Fellow
High Energy Physics
Display Engineer, Apple - Liam Connor, 2020-2023 Richard Chace Tolman Fellow
Astronomy
Assistant Professor, Harvard University - Michael Coughlin, 2017-2020 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Astrophysics
Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota - Jacob Covey, 2017-2020 Richard Chace Tolman Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Alejandro Diaz, 2023-2026 Clark B. Millikan Fellow
High Energy Physics
Quantitative Researcher, Vola Dynamics - Ran Finkelstein, 2021-2024 Troesh Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Assistant Professor, Tel Aviv University - Kevin Fogarty, 2018-2020 Troesh Fellow
Astronomy
Research Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center - Pradip Gatkine, 2020-2025 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Astronomy
Assistant Professor, UCLA - Jean-Rene Gauthier, 2011-2014 Millikan Fellow
Astrophysics
AI Product Architech, Oracle AI Data Platform - Steven Hailey-Dunsheath, 2011-2014 Richard Chace Tolman Fellow
Physics
Research Scientist, Caltech - Erika Hamden, 2017-2018 Millikan Fellow
Astrophysics
Director, Space Institute Associate Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Arizona - Keri Hoadley, 2018-2021 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Astrophysics
Assistant Professor, University of Florida - Junhan Kim, 2019-2022 Millikan Fellow
Observational Cosmology
Assistant Professor, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - Anthony LaTorre, 2021-2023 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
High Energy Physics
Unknown - Xinwei Li, 2019-2022 Troesh Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Presidential Young Professor, National University of Singapore - Nan Lu, 2017-2020 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
High Energy Physics
Special Professor, University of Science and Technology of China - Nivedita Mahesh, 2022-2025 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Astronomy
Research Scientist, University of Colorado Boulder - Maxwell Millar-Blanchaer, 2019-2020 Millikan Fellow
Astronomy
Assistant Professor, UC Santa Barbara - Jennifer Ngadiuba, 2020-2021 Millikan Fellow
High Energy Physics
Scientist, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory - Lewis Picard, 2024-2026 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Senior AMO Physicist, Oratomic - Xin Qian, 2010-2013 Millikan Fellow
High Energy Physics
Adjunct Professor, Stony Brook University - Karthik Ramanathan, 2020-2023 Troesh Fellow
Observational Cosmology
Assistant Professor, Washington University St Louis - Vikram Ravi, 2015-2018 Millikan Fellow
Astronomy
Professor, Caltech - Susan Redmond, 2023-2025 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Astronomy
Optical Engineer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Ewa Rej, 2018-2021 Troesh Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Postdoctoral Scholar, Aalto University - Alon Ron, 2016-2019 Troesh Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Assistant Professor, Tel Aviv University - Arpita Roy, 2017-2020 Millikan Fellow
Astronomy
Direct, Schmidt Sciences - Jean-Baptiste Ruffio, 2019-2022 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Astronomy
Assistant Research Scientist, UC San Diego - Kyle Seyler, 2018-2021 Millikan Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Assistant Professor, University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences - Kathryn Sutton, 2021-2024 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Unknown - Francisco Salces Carcoba, 2020-2024 Barish-Weiss Fellow
Gravitational Physics
Assistant Professor, The University of New Mexico - Aaron Tohuvavohu, 2024-2025 Troesh Fellow
Astrophysics
Director, Cosmic Frontier Labs - Harish Vedantham, 2015-2018 Millikan Fellow
Astronomy
Staff Astronomer, ASTRON & Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Groningen - Chi Zhang, 2022-2025 David & Ellen Lee Fellow
Condensed Matter Physics
Research Fellow, Imperial College London
Further Info: http://www.pma.caltech.edu/about/job-opportunities
Contact: Jessica Varlet <[email protected]>