graduate student researcher berkeley

Visiting Student Researchers

Visiting student researcher appointments, who is eligible for a visiting student researcher appointment.

Visiting student researchers (VSR) are students currently pursuing a degree in a degree-granting program at another university (not in the University of California system), and possess at least a bachelor’s degree. VSRs do not enroll in UC Berkeley courses for credit. The minimum length of an appointment is 30 days and the maximum appointment length allowed is one year. Remote appointments are not permitted; all visits must be conducted on campus.

Please note that students enrolled at any UC campus are ineligible for this type of appointment as they enjoy the benefits of reciprocity at UC Berkeley.  Visiting student researchers may not hold concurrent employment/appointment at UC Berkeley or any other UC campus during their visiting student researcher appointment (e.g. Graduate Student Researcher [GSR] title to conduct research for compensation).

Foreign visiting student researchers are primarily on the J or F-1 visa.   B-1/B-2 visas  and  waivers  are not permitted for this research title. VSRs on external F-1 visas from another U.S. institution must submit a memo from that institution on official letterhead that they are authorizing the visit to Berkeley. The memo must include the dates of the UCB appointment. Additionally, copies of valid immigration documents should be submitted.

Are Visiting Student Researchers Compensated?

Visiting student researchers are ineligible for compensation, whether in the form of salary or wages, from UC Berkeley. Visiting student researchers are self-supported and appropriate to the duration of the appointment from external sources. However, individual research units/departments or the faculty sponsor may provide a  living allowance  of up to $30,000 per year to help offset the cost of living in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Departments may also request approval to reimburse a visiting student researcher's UC Berkeley business-related travel costs, and incidental research expenses, as long as they are aligned with  UC Berkeley policy.  

How does one obtain a Visiting Student Researcher Appointment?

Please contact the  academic department  or a  faculty member  whose research aligns with your training and research goals. They will help you determine your eligibility and notify you if they are accepting visiting student researchers. They may also assist in covering the required  University Services Fee  on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

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Visiting Scholars & Visiting Student Researchers

Welcome to CSTMS! Visiting Scholars and Visiting Student Researchers are a vital part of the life of the Center, providing a continual source of new ideas and integrating with our active community events. The Center hosts several visiting scholars and students each year and maintains a lively collaboration with centers abroad. See our current visitors .

We seek visitors who will actively engage with our Center activities and resources.  This includes being an active member in one of our  working groups , attending our  Colloquium  Series, and contributing to our  conferences,  workshops , and social events.

Visiting scholars and students are given desk space at one of the tables in the Office’s reading room in 470 Stephens Hall . Also available is the use of the University’s extensive library system, a computer account, and access to most Berkeley campus facilities. A more complete description of resources available to visitors is available from the University’s Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) unit.

For international visitors : The International Office contains important information about US visa regulations and health insurance requirements for international scholars. It is important that you review and understand these requirements and ascertain that you are able to fulfill them before you begin the process of applying for visiting scholar/student status.

Applying to become a Visiting Scholar or Visiting Student Researcher

The Center for Science, Technology, Medicine, & Society accepts requests for Visiting Scholar status from academics with a Ph.D. or equivalent who have research related to the Center’s areas of interest that require Berkeley resources. Graduate students with projects to be carried out in Berkeley may apply for Visiting Student Researcher  status.

CSTMS considers applications on a rolling basis. Please note below the timeframes needed to process your application, and ensure you apply with enough time for all steps to be completed before you arrive.

Since we have a limited number of spaces for Visitors, we especially encourage applications from those whose work relates to current research themes at CSTMS:

◇ Algorithms in Culture ◇ Governance and the Environment ◇ Politics of Proving: Logic, Mathematics, Statistics ◇ Post Colonial STS ◇ Science, Regulation and Policy

If you are interested in being considered for visiting scholar or student status, please note the following steps:

1. CSTMS Application : Complete the CSTMS Visiting Scholar & Student application form and the VSPA Application . Send both to [email protected] .

2. University Application : If your request is approved, the Center will direct you in how to fill out the University’s Visiting Scholar/Student application forms.

3. Time frame : Once the University application is complete, we will keep you informed of your pending status. You are encouraged to contact us for any questions or assistance regarding your visiting scholar application. For domestic applicants , paperwork approval takes about three weeks to process after being received. For international applicants , the approval process can take up to three months because much of the visa information must be processed out of country. You are strongly encouraged to begin the process early.

4. Visiting Scholar Fees :

◆ CSTMS Fee:

◇ For resident visitors: $1,250 set-up fee; $1,500 for appointment renewals ◇ For non-resident visitors: $1,250 set-up fee; $1,500 for appointment renewals ◇ For Visiting Student Researchers: $1,250 set-up fee, $1,500 for appointment renewals ◇ All fees are non-refundable

◆ University Fee:

◇ For Visiting Scholars: $750 annually; $1,500 annually for appointment renewals ◇ For Visiting Student Researchers: $1,000 annually; $2,500 annually for appointment renewals

◆ Other Fees:

◇ International visitors should expect to pay $600-1,000 for fees associated with their visa applications

5. Housing : Visiting scholars must look for housing before they arrive. The Bay Area is a competitive and difficult housing market, so make your arrangements well in advance of your arrival date. For assistance with housing in the local area, we recommend using Craigslist  or the Cal Rentals Office . Short term visitors are also encouraged to look on Airbnb . International Students may be interested in the residential services provided at International House .

6. After arrival : As soon as possible after you arrive in Berkeley, stop by the CSTMS office at 543 Stephens Hall to get a full tour. The Center is usually open between 1:00 and 5:00 pm weekdays. You may call first: +1 (510) 642-4581.

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Graduate Student Researchers

Ce3 admin home, visual guides.

Your unit may consider hiring graduate student researchers (GSRs), which is a different process than hiring undergraduate students.

Processing Steps

• Identify student 
• Please note a GSR may not use a regular student position number. GSR title codes are specific to their FTE. Be sure to use a title code that best fits their appointment (ex. GSR with no fee remission, partial fee remission, full fee remission).
• Complete GSR appointment form *different than non-academic student appointment forms
• Submit via GSR Smartsheets form

Additional Resources

Remission types and eligibility

GSR appointment form

• Latest information on GSR salary rates (no data yet on 21-22 AY online)

Global Engagement

Each year over 3000 international faculty, students, and scholars visit uc berkeley to conduct independent research., these temporary appointments are aimed to foster a hub of ideas and a collaborative space for innovation..

Berkeley visiting student researchers (VSRs), scholar, and postdoc appointments are temporary, allowing individuals a unique opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of a faculty member. The time spent as a visiting scholar or visiting student researcher prepares you for a career in academia, industry, government and the non-profit sector. 

The Visiting Scholars and Postdoc Affairs office provides resources on the appointment process & requirements, pre and post arrival information, campus and local resources, and health insurance & benefits.

The Berkeley International Office provides resources for visiting students, scholars, and postdocs on visa and immigration information, SEVIS, maintaining legal status in the US, pre and post arrival information, and on campus scholar information meetings.

Definitions

Visiting student researcher.

Visiting student researchers (VSRs) are applicants who are currently enrolled in a degree program and are working to obtain a degree. Generally, VSRs must hold a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent. VSR positions are not compensated. VSRs primary purpose on campus is to conduct research. The length of stay for VSRs is at least one month to one year. VSRs do not take classes for credit and are only able to audit courses if they receive permission from the professor of the course.

Visiting Scholar

Visiting scholars are individuals who possess a Ph.D. or its equivalent, and whose primary purpose for residence on the Berkeley campus is to conduct independent research. The length of stay for a visiting scholar is at least one month and appointments are granted one year at a time, with a maximum cumulative appointment time of two years. Visiting scholar positions are not compensated. However, units may provide a stipend of up to $10,000 per year. Such stipends can be used to cover things such as living expenses, travel costs, and incidental research expenses, but not as a form of salary compensation.

All postdoc appointments are temporary and typically last for one to two years. Some postdocs may be appointed for subsequent years depending on funding, but normally do not exceed five years. This includes previous postdoc experience at other institutions. With the sponsoring department or Organized Research Unit's approval, faculty mentors offer positions to appointees in writing. All postdoc appointments must work and be compensated at 100% time. Exceptions to less than full-time appointments are initiated by the postdoc and endorsed by appropriate University officials. The campus has a minimum compensation policy for postdocs; postdocs whose fellowships pay less than the campus minimum may be supplemented by other fund sources contingent upon the rules of the fellowship as well as the availability of funds.

How to apply as a Visiting Scholar, Student Researcher, or Postdoc

Visiting scholar programs by department, useful links.

• Visiting Scholar & Postdoc Affairs Office
• Berkeley International Office
• Visiting Scholar Programs by department

GSR Positions

If a Statistics faculty member has agreed to fund you as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) also known as a Research Assistant, you must submit the Graduate Student Researcher Appointment Request form here: https://www.erso.berkeley.edu/gsr/beginGSRApptRequest.php

It is important for you to submit the form by the following dates for on-time pay: Fall appointments: July 15.  Spring appointments: October 15 Summer appointments: April 15

Statistics PhD students admitted prior to 2022, are hired at Step 6 at 50%.  Starting with the cohort entering in the 2022-23 academic year, students will be hired at Step 4 at 50%.  

All graduate students who hold academic appointments (TA, GSR, Reader, Tutor) that total 25% or greater may be eligible for fee remissions that offset a portion or all of their fees. For more information regarding fee remissions and eligibility requirements, please visit Graduate Division's website: https://grad.berkeley.edu/financial/academic-employment/fee-remissions/

Hire a GSR, Tutor, or Reader

Quick links, hire a ase/gsr, faqs for gsrs, fee remission eligibility, please note:.

Students may not begin working until funding has been approved and on-boarding has been completed with Berkeley Regional Services. Failure to comply will result in delayed payment for the student and a Damage Payment assessment against your Faculty Budget. Please submit hiring requests 8-10 days prior to the proposed start dates to account for the students’ on-boarding and possible additional paperwork. 

Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)

A GSR is a graduate student who is engaged in or assisting in research projects.

GSRs perform research broadly related to their degree programs in an academic department or research unit under the direction of a faculty member or authorized Principal Investigator. GSRs may or may not collaborate in the publication of research as determined by the faculty member directing the work. GSRs may not be assigned teaching, administrative, or general assistance duties. This is not intended to exclude research-related duties such as quantitative analysis, bibliographic searches or summaries, text editing, lab projects, computer programming, and a reasonable amount of lab maintenance and cleaning.

GSR Salary Scale

Effective 10/1/23

Appointment Guide

GSI, GSR, Reader, & Tutor

• Currently enrolled UC Berkeley 2L, 3L or JSP/Ph.D. students with at least a 3.0 GPA
• Be registered and enrolled in a minimum of 12 units (except summer and winter breaks) unless already advanced to doctoral candidacy
• Have no more than 2 Incompletes in upper division or graduate level courses
• Must meet campus eligibility requirements as stated here .

Restrictions

• UC Hastings College of Law students may not be appointed as GSRs.
• Hiring the intended student as a GSR is contingent upon their meeting the requirements for this academic appointment.
• Hiring for the intended percentage of time and duration of the appointment is dependent upon the availability of funds.
• Berkeley 1L students are not eligible to work as GSRs without an exception from the Dean of Students.
• During the academic year, GSRs may not work more than half (50%) time.
• Appointments must be renewed each semester.
• All Berkeley Law GSRs are hired at Step 1-3 (based on previous GSR semester based experience over 25% time) and are paid based on a percentage of time not on an hourly basis.
• Students on Filing Fee status may not be appointed as GSRs

For questions, contact Karina Escamilla at Berkeley Law ([email protected]) or Denise Hancock at Berkeley Regional Services ([email protected]) .

Academic Student Employees (ASEs) with a 25% or greater appointment in the fall term who are employed on or before October 1, 2018 will receive a one-time, $100.00 ratification lump sum payment. Payout of the lump sum is planned to be made to all eligible ASEs with the November 1, 2018 monthly paycheck or the first bi-weekly paycheck commencing after November 1, 2018. The cost of the one-time lump sum payment will be charged to the ASE’s current chartstring.

Graduate students may serve as Tutors, but qualified undergraduates may also be appointed as Tutors. It is preferable that Tutors be students, but this does not preclude the appointment of qualified persons who are not students.

Duties are assigned by the hiring department and are included in the written notification of appointment provided to the appointee by the department. Appointees to the Tutor title are employed to render individual or group instructional activities in support of regular academic programs. Under supervision, a Tutor’s duties may include individual tutoring sessions, group tutoring sessions, presentation at workshops, and other duties as assigned. Tutors do not perform teaching duties assigned to the GSI series.

To hire tutors, please email Karina Escamilla at [email protected]

2020 Timekeeping Update

Tutor salary rate table.

• Currently enrolled UC Berkeley students with at least a 3.0 GPA
• Must have taken and received at least a B grade in the course or another course equivalent to the one in which they are serving
• If tutorship is the student’s first ASE assignment: Must attend the New ASE Orientation sponsored by the Office of Labor Relations for the semester of the appointment
• Students may not be appointed as Tutors during a period of in absentia registration status
• Students may not be enrolled in the course for which they are a Tutor
• Students may not simultaneously serve as a Tutor and GSI for the same course
• Students may not be appointed for more than 50% time
• Tutor appointments for one academic year or less are self-terminating unless the appointee is otherwise notified
• Graduate students are limited to four years of service in any one teaching title or any combination of teaching titles
• Registered graduate students may normally be assigned to perform the duties of a Tutor only for undergraduate courses. Under exceptional circumstances, a department may appoint a registered graduate student who has been advanced to candidacy at the doctoral level for a graduate course. However, for a registered graduate student who has not yet been advanced to doctoral candidacy, appointment as a Tutor for a graduate course always requires advance approval by the Head Graduate Advisor of the student’s academic department.

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10.3 Graduate Student Researcher Appointments

( The information on the Graduate Student Researcher appointment will be updated soon, to reflect the clause of the current UC-UAW contract ) .

Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) is often referred to as Research Assistant at other universities. GSRs are supported by a faculty member or authorized Principal Investigator, to perform research work that fulfills part of their degree requirements for the MS and PhD degrees.

The duties of a GSR vary according to who your research advisor or Principal Investigator is and the chosen field of study. Some research advisors will give complete instructions with lots of detail about what they want. Others may give a general direction to “work on this” with no other instruction unless you ask. In some cases, students may spend their first year developing presentations from coursework or from research literature and will only begin hands-on work after they have gained considerable background. In experimental work, GSRs may become more involved in the research projects sooner.

During the period of appointment, the student must: • Have a GPA of at least 3.0 • Have no more than 2 Incompletes in upper division or graduate level courses • Not be on probation or in lapsed candidacy status unless granted an exception • Be registered and enrolled in a minimum of 15 units (except summer)

Most GSRs are paid from faculty grants. If the appointment meets certain criteria, a portion, or all, of the student’s fees will be paid for.  This benefit is called a  fee remission . In addition, GSRs with appointments that are at least 45 percent time may be eligible for coverage of their non-resident tuition through tuition remission.

In order to receive a fee remission, the semester appointment must be at least for 25 percent or more time for the entire semester. For your convenience, details about fee remissions are available in a print-friendly format:  Download/Print

GSRs earn wage increases when they have passed their preliminary examinations and when they advance to doctoral candidacy. The normal salary steps for students in our department are the following:

• Entering Students:  Step I

• Students in second year: Step II

• Student in third year and beyond: Step III

The current  GSR Salary Scale can be found here .

If you are a GSR in the Department of Mechanical Engineering most employment forms are processed through the  Organized Research Unit  (ORU) in which the Principal Investigator’s (PI’s) funds are held. These are usually paid from outside funding such as research grants. Your hiring faculty will direct you to the hiring unit where you will complete these hiring forms. The most common ORUs are:

•   C ampus Shared Services Team 2  (formerly called ERSO), 199M Cory

•   Electronics Research Laboratory  (ERL), 253 Cory

•   Institute of Transportation Studies  (ITS), 108B McLaughlin Hall

For more information about GSR appointments, please visit the following page:  https://grad.berkeley.edu/financial/appointments/handbook/#stepsgsar

• 10.3.1 New Hire (You Have Never Held A Student Appointment at UC Berkeley Before)
• 10.3.2 Rehire GSR With a Break in Service (Summer is considered a break)
• 10.3.3 Continuing GSR With No Break in Service

Graduate Fellowships, Grants and Awards

Information about Berkeley and extramural fellowships, grants and awards including deadlines and applications, can be found in the table below.  

Additional options: 

There are many fellowship options national wide to help cover the costs. We have compiled a list of national fellowship databases to aid in your search.

The Graduate Division provides fellowship awards for entering doctoral students to programs to aid in the recruitment of outstanding doctoral and masters students, including those who will enhance the diversity of the graduate student population at Berkeley. These fellowships are awarded at the departmental level as part of the admissions process.

File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2, 2015 , the deadline for California residency eligibility for 2015-2016 fellowship and grant proposals.

Fellowships, Grants and Awards Coordinated by the Graduate Division (University and Extramural)

Fellowships and Awards Coordinated by UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley coordinates awards outlined below. To learn more about these awards, contact the program department directly.

Extramural Fellowships

Extramural fellowships are those awarded by governmental agencies, private foundations, and corporations. Applying for extramural fellowships can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. Begin your search early, at least one year before the intended onset of funding. Prospective students applying for extramural fellowships should consult The Grants Register and the Annual Register of Grant Support at their campus or local library for information. A partial list of extramural fellowships and deadlines appears below. Some of the deadlines are approximations based on competitions from the previous year. To learn more, explore our list of fellowships databases .

Financing Graduate Education at Berkeley

PhD Funding

The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering requires faculty advisors and PhD students to map out funding plans that meet the targets below. These funding streams can be through any combination of internal/external fellowships, research grants, scholarships, internal employment, or external employment positions. This financial support plan should consists of an annual income for 12 months, full tuition and fees for Fall and Spring semesters, and health/dental insurance coverage. This level of support will be provided for up to 5 years, or until completion of the PhD, whichever comes first, and is contingent upon successful academic and research progress.

As of the 2023-2024 academic year,  CEE has agreed to the following funding targets (50% fall/spring + 100% summer) for CEE PhD students:. 

Year 1* - 12 months - $40000 

Year 2* - 12 months - $43500 

Year 3* and beyond - 12 months - $46500

As of the 2024-2025 academic year,  CEE has agreed to the following funding targets (50% fall/spring + 100% summer) for CEE PhD students:

Year 1* - 12 months - $42500

Year 2* - 12 months - $46000

Year 3* and beyond - 12 months - $49500

* Years of experience are calculated from the first year a student is officially admitted to the PhD program. This is independent from employment steps which are based on work experience. As of Fall 2023, The department no longer increases salary based on academic achievements.

Masters Funding

CEE strives to support Master's students where possible. In most cases, any student financial support awarded would be listed in the admissions letter. Students with additional financial needs should consider employment opportunities on this page or speak with their advisor to explore other financial resources, such as the basic needs center , financial aid office, and annual fellowship or grant opportunities. 

Graduate Student Employment

For all official campus resources, policies, salary tables, and process for student employment please see the Graduate Divisions' Academic Student Employment Website. 

• Students may apply to ASE positions in any department.  
• Students on F-1 or J-1 visas may not be appointed for more than 50% (or 20 hours) total for all of their combined appointments on campus. This includes any and ALL reader, TA and GSR appointments.
• Domestic students are also limited to 50% (or 20 hours) total for all of their combined appointments on campus. Rare exceptions can be made for Domestic PhD students who have advanced to candidacy.
• Students in GSR, TA, or reader roles of 25% or more are eligible for residential tuition & fee remission .  

Graduate Student Instructors (GSI)

Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs), sometimes called Teaching Assistants (TA's), are chosen for their excellence in scholarship and for their promise as a teacher. GSIs (Graduate Student Instructors)  are registered UC Berkeley graduate students who lead discussion sections and/or serve as an assistant instructor during lecture. Duties may include teaching, grading, proctoring, holding office hours, and meeting with the instructor to consult on the class throughout the term. As GSIs provide instruction, they are required to attend trainings and must be included in the Instructor Evaluation Process. 

• Students may not serve as a GSI in courses in which they are currently enrolled.
• Students cannot serve as a GSI and a Reader at the same time for the same course. 
• GSI's cannot work more than 50% in a fall or spring semester.  
• Students with full fellowships may not work more than 50% during an academic year.  
• Only PhD students who have advanced to candidacy may GSI for 200 level courses. 

GSI applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• No more than 2 Incomplete grades
• Must not be on probation or in lapsed candidacy status
• Enrolled in 12 units
• Fully registered by the end of the third week of classes
• Must confirm English Language Proficiency 
• Must be enrolled or have taken CIVENG 375 or an equivalent 375 course on campus.
• Have attended the Teaching Conference for First Time GSI's and if applicable the Teaching in the US Classroom conference for F-1 and J-1 students. 

Appointment period: 

• Fall: August 1 and end December 31. 
• Spring: January 1 and end on May 31.
• Summer: Varies by Summer session schedule  

Readers assist with grading homework assignments and examinations. Specific duties may include attendance at lectures, holding office hours and meetings with GSIs and instructor(s) to discuss the class throughout the term. Readers CANNOT be assigned teaching duties.

• Students may not serve as a Reader in courses in which they are currently enrolled.
• Readers cannot work more than 50% in a fall or spring semester.  
• Only PhD students who have advanced to candidacy may be a reader for 200 level courses. 

Reader applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• No more than 2 Incomplete grades in upper division and graduate courses
• Minimum grade of "B" in the course for which they are reading or an equivalent course
• Enrolled in 12 units by the third week of classes, or an exception would be required.
• first day of the semester until the final day of the semester.

Application

• TA / Reader: Academic Student Employee Application

GSI/Reader application process

• All GSI and Reader appointments are made at the department level.
• The application is posted in October and April, and should be completed within two weeks for optimal chances for employment. 
• All employment must be processed 30 days before the start date to ensure timely pay.
• If a faculty member promised you a TA/Reader position, you still must submit  the online application. In this case, you should also indicate on the application which faculty member promised you the position, and the number of hours promised. Your communication with the faculty member and Program Leader will be confirmed and the the offer letter processed accordingly.  Verbal or email offers from hiring faculty or staff are not considered official offers.
• Faculty choose TAs and Readers from this pool of applicants. If you are chosen as a TA or a Reader, the Academic Affairs Office will e-mail to you the course name, hours, salary, etc.  If you accept the offer (via the online system), you will need to attend an Engineering Research Support Office (ERSO) Human Resources Orientation to fill out the necessary paperwork.  You are not officially hired and MAY NOT begin work until the Human Resources Unit processes the paperwork. 
• By submitting an application you agree that you meet the requirements for a TA or Reader position. If you submit an application and fail to meet these requirements, your application will be rejected.
• If you are receiving a fee remission, you are still responsible for paying your fees in a timely manner. Your funds will be reimbursed.
• Applications will be processed on an ongoing basis until all the appointments have been successfully filled. For payment in first salary cycle, you must have signed your hiring paperwork by  July 31  for Fall and December 1 for Spring.   

Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)

Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) is often referred to as Research Assistant at other universities. Any graduate student at UC Berkeley is eligible to work as a GSR. GSR positions are usually prioritized for PhD students. 

• A GSR, students cannot work more than 50% in the fall or spring semesters. During the winter, spring, and summer breaks, students may work up to 100% time.
• A GSR performs research broadly related to the degree program in an academic department or research unit under the direction of a faculty member or authorized Principal Investigator. GSRs do not perform teaching, administrative, or general assistance duties.
• All GSR appointments are made at the department or research unit level. Students should check with their faculty adviser about being appointed as a GSR. Students should also consider contacting other departments or research units allied with their field of study, or their previous education or teaching experience.

GSR applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Registered in the semester during which the GSR appointment is held
• Enrolled in 12 units by the third week of classes

Application Process

• Contact a faculty member directly for any open Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions.  
• Once you have an agreement with a faculty member, who will then become your research adviser, you need to complete the GSR Appointment Request . 
• Once your faculty advisor approves your appointment ERSO will contact you in order to complete hire paperwork.  

Fee Remission 

If the GSR appointment meets certain criteria, a portion, or all, of the student's fees will be paid for.  This benefit is called a fee remission. In addition, GSRs with appointments that are at least 45% time may be eligible for coverage of their non-resident tuition through tuition remission.  If you are eligible for fee remission, it takes 2 weeks to process after you sign the hiring paperwork.

Fellowships

Departmental Fellowships

• The Department has over 100 endowments and fellowships that are used to fund graduate study. 
• All CEE graduate students are consider for fellowships at the admissions process. 
• Ad hoc nomination/application processes for current students are announced via the CEE Graduate Student Newsletter and through our listserv.

University Fellowships

• A full list of University administered fellowships, including the NSFGRFP, can be found here .

External Fellowships

• Coming Soon.

• Mk1 Design Goals
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• PB-FHR Fuel
• Modular Construction
• Mk1 Power Conversion
• Mk1 Reactor Core
• Compact Integral Effects Test (CIET)
• Coiled Tube Air Heater (CTAH) Models
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Graduate Student Researcher

Xin works on neutronics and thermal-hydraulics coupling methods for transients in FHR. She has developed a point kinetics model coupled with finite volume heat transfer and is currently running sensitivity study with the model. The next step would be to develop methods for reactor transient analysis with coupled Monte Carlo and CFD models.

Xin got her B.S and M.S in Energy and Environment Engineering with an emphasis in thermal technology from INSA de Lyon(France). She also holds an M.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering from INSTN/CEA(France). During her study in France, she has interned at GDF Suez Energy on severe accident analysis, at the Advanced Man-Machine Interface Laboratory on bilateral robotic control, and at the Advanced Multiphase Flow Laboratory on measuring spacer grid effect on two-phase flow.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading and sleeping.

Andrew Greenop

Andrew is currently working on developing a simulation and measuring the effectiveness of the Coiled Tube Gas Heat Exchanger (CTGH), which is the current design for the heat exchanger that will be used to transfer heat from the molten salt from the FHR to a gas that will be run through a power conversion cycle to produce electricity.  He graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN.  In his spare time, Andrew enjoys running, biking, swimming, reading, and discovering new restaurants.

Lakshana Huddar

Lakshana is primarily involved in characterizing the heat transfer in pebble-bed nuclear reactor cores cooled by fluoride salts. Currently she is leading the design and construction effort of the Pebble-Bed Heat Transfer Experiment (PBHTX), whose primary purpose is to measure heat transfer coefficients in pebble-beds for the range of non-dimensional numbers applicable to PB-FHRs. She obtained an M.Eng degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London and did an internship at TerraPower in 2013. In her spare time she enjoys studying Sanskrit, reading fiction and non-fiction and cooking with exotic ingredients. She is also a member of the American Nuclear Society.

James Kendrick

James is currently researching the use of simulant fluids in modelling the thermal hydraulic behavior of molten salt systems, specifically fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (FHRs), using the Compact Integral Effects Test (CIET 1.0) facility located at UC Berkeley. His research in understanding passively-driven decay heat removal systems for FHRs will be used in benchmarking efforts as part of an Integrated Research Project involving many other national university and international organization partners to better understand FHR technologies and eventually license a commercial FHR design. James graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2014 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Certificate.

James enjoys weightlifting, reading, and playing the bassoon in his spare time.

Christopher Poresky

Chris is currently involved in data collection and analysis for the X-ray Pebble Recirculation Experiment (X-PREX) and transient testing and analysis for the Compact Integral Effects Test (CIET 1.0). He graduated from Rutgers University in May 2015 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a specialization in Energy Systems and has some experience conducting uncertainty and sensitivity analysis on lead-cooled fast reactors at the Technical University of Munich.

Chris enjoys speaking German, writing, and reading in his spare time. He is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

April Novak

April has recently joined the Thermal-Hydraulics group modeling Fluoride-Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors (FHRs). She is currently working on learning the foundations of thermal-hydraulic analysis and design, and is interested in improving the computational models used to assess the FHR design. April will use her Light Water Reactor (LWR) design and operations experience to identify strengths and improvement areas of the FHR design and to place the design within the context of a primarily LWR-oriented industry. Aside from school and research, April enjoys exploring nearby parks and running trails, playing piano, and bowling.

Graduate Student Researcher

Nikou khoshnevis asl.

Nikou Khoshnevis Asl is a PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley, specializing in Transportation Engineering. She is also a Graduate Student Researcher at UC Berkeley SafeTREC, where she assists with projects identifying speeding-related crash locations and pedestrian safety. Nikou completed her MS in Transportation Engineering at UC Berkeley and her BSc. in Civil Engineering from the Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran, Iran.

• Read more about Nikou Khoshnevis Asl

Jon Atkins is a Graduate Student Researcher at UC Berkeley SafeTREC, looking at the relationship between vehicle fleet composition and pedestrian safety. He is currently pursuing a dual masters in Civil Engineering and Urban Planning with a focus on human interaction with urban transport networks. Prior to graduate school, Jon was a Political Data Scientist working largely for the national Democratic Party in DC. Outside of the classroom and office, you can find him riding in the East Bay hills or volunteering at his neighborhood bike co-op.

• Read more about Jon Atkins

Tristan Erz

Tristan Erz is a master's student in the Department of Statistics at UC Berkeley, specializing in data science and machine learning. He is also a Graduate Student Researcher at UC Berkeley SafeTREC, where he is working on a project to detect edge case scenarios for autonomous driving from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash data. Tristan received his BSc. in Computer Science in Germany and worked for three years as a data scientist in the AV / ADAS department at Mercedes-Benz.

• Read more about Tristan Erz

Cheng-Kai (Kai) Hsu

Kai is a PhD candidate in UC Berkeley's Department of City and Regional Planning, whose research interests lie at the intersection of transportation planning, environmental exposure, and health equity. He holds a BS in Urban Planning from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, and a MSc in Transport from Imperial College London and University College London. His current research projects look at the association between heat exposure and road safety risks, with a particular focus on food-delivery motorcyclists.

• Read more about Cheng-Kai (Kai) Hsu

Qianhua Luo

Qianhua Luo is a graduate student researcher at UC Berkeley SafeTREC and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

• Read more about Qianhua Luo

Connor McCaffrey

Connor McCaffrey is a master's student in the Department of Statistics at UC Berkeley, with research interests in statistical computing and its applications to environmental science and public health. He holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Applied Statistics from the University of Virginia. Currently, he is working on a project for Caltrans to estimate wet-pavement exposure using statewide precipitation data. This project updates prior research from 2008 to assess how climate change has impacted rainfall across California.

• Read more about Connor McCaffrey

Masuma Mollika Miti

Masuma Mollika Miti is a PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley, specializing in Transportation Engineering. She is also a Graduate Student Researcher at SafeTREC, where she assists with projects identifying speeding-related crash locations. Masuma completed her MS in Transportation Engineering at UC Berkeley and her BSc. in Civil Engineering from the Islamic University of Technology in Bangladesh. Her research focuses on safety, equity, and sustainability in the transportation sector, with an emphasis on integrating modern technology.

• Read more about Masuma Mollika Miti

Joel Tam is a Graduate Student Researcher at the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC). With a specialization in Transportation Engineering, he is pursuing an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley, where he also earned a BS in this field. He brings previous research and work experience in transportation systems to his current role.

• Read more about Joel Tam

Melody Tsao

Melody Tsao is a Graduate Student Research at SafeTREC, assisting with the development of a Safe System approach to establishing speed limits. She is a city planning and transportation engineering graduate student at UC Berkeley and received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from University of Maryland, College Park. Prior to graduate school, she worked as an ITS/Traffic Designer in Pennsylvania.

• Read more about Melody Tsao

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The School of Information is UC Berkeley’s newest professional school. Located in the center of campus, the I School is a graduate research and education community committed to expanding access to information and to improving its usability, reliability, and credibility while preserving security and privacy.

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The School of Information offers four degrees:

The Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) program educates information professionals to provide leadership for an information-driven world.

The Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) is an online degree preparing data science professionals to solve real-world problems. The 5th Year MIDS program is a streamlined path to a MIDS degree for Cal undergraduates.

The Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) is an online degree preparing cybersecurity leaders for complex cybersecurity challenges.

Our Ph.D. in Information Science is a research program for next-generation scholars of the information age.

• Fall 2024 Course Schedule

The School of Information's courses bridge the disciplines of information and computer science, design, social sciences, management, law, and policy. We welcome interest in our graduate-level Information classes from current UC Berkeley graduate and undergraduate students and community members.  More information about signing up for classes.

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Research by faculty members and doctoral students keeps the I School on the vanguard of contemporary information needs and solutions.

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Graduate Student Researcher (short-term)

This position has been filled.

Assistant Professor Zach Pardos seeks a 50% GSR during the 2018–19 winter break. This project aims to integrate adaptive learning experiences into the edX online course platform. The project team consists of collaborators from edX (Cambridge, MA), OpenCraft (London, UK), and Cal's AI in Education lab, run by Prof. Pardos. There are research implications for this work, as these types of adaptive supports have never been natively supported by a large scale platform before.

Examples of adaptive experiences we are developing include:

• a next-step recommendation within an online course
• an adaptive review page

The successful candidate for this position will be primarily working with Django and React.js web technologies. Experience with node.js and git is a plus.

To apply, please email your CV or resume to Prof. Pardos at [email protected] .

GIAS Fellowships & Grants

GIAS provides several fellowships to support graduate students conducting research in international and area studies. This page lists grants administered by GIAS itself. For fellowships administered by individual GIAS units, please click here . 

Please apply to all fellowships below through this Google Form . You must be logged in to your Berkeley email account to submit your application.  Applications submitted by e-mail will not be considered.

Faculty letters of recommendations should be emailed by the author directly to [email protected] . For questions on the GIAS grants, please contact Tomás Lane, Fellowships Coordinator, at the same address.

The Reinhard Bendix and Allan Sharlin Fellowships

Supported Activities: UC Berkeley graduate students in all fields who have obtained ABD status or will formally advance to candidacy by the fall of the fellowship term and plan to do research in the fields of historical sociology, historical demography, social history, political and social theory, or historical studies of society and politics. Fellowships are intended to support research on campus, within the United States, or abroad.

Application details: Eligible candidates must submit an application that includes: 1) a description of the research project of up to four pages (single spaced); 2) a CV of up to two pages; 3) a budget plan; 4) a list of other sources of financial support; 5) an unofficial UC Berkeley transcript; 6) a letter of recommendation from a UC Berkeley faculty member, emailed directly to [email protected] , with indication “The Reinhard Bendix & Allan Sharlin Fellowships.”

Eligibility: This fellowship is intended for all UC Berkeley graduate students in good standing, who have obtained ABD status or will formally advance to candidacy (will have satisfied all requirements of the Ph.D. except the dissertation) by the fall of the fellowship term. Students must be registered with the Graduate Division for their award term. Student applications need to be compliant with human subject research requirements, if applicable. Requests for tuition and fee costs as separate items will not be considered.

Award amount: up to $7,500. Grant amounts are at the discretion of the jury.

Application deadline: April 15, 2024

The John L. Simpson Pre-dissertation Research Fellowship in International & Area Studies

Supported Activities: UC Berkeley graduate students in all fields who have not yet advanced to candidacy and plan to do research in international & area studies, in the broadest sense, both from a contemporary and a historical perspective. Fellowships are intended to support travel, lodging, and/or research-related expenditures.

Application details: Eligible candidates must submit an application that includes: 1) a description of the proposed research of up to two pages (single spaced); 2) a CV of up to two pages; 3) a budget plan; 4)  a list of other sources of financial support; 5) an unofficial UC Berkeley transcript; 6) a letter of recommendation from a UC Berkeley faculty member, emailed directly to  [email protected] , with indication “John L. Simpson Pre-dissertation Research Fellowships in International & Area Studies.”

Eligibility: This fellowship is intended for UC Berkeley graduate students who will not formally advance to candidacy by the fall of the fellowship term. Students from all departments are eligible, including students in terminal degree MA programs.

Award amount: up to $5,000. Grant amounts are at the discretion of the jury.

The John L. Simpson ABD Graduate Students Research Fellowship in International & Area Studies

Supported Activities: UC Berkeley graduate students in all fields who have obtained ABD status or will formally advance to candidacy by the fall of the fellowship term and plan to do research in international & area studies, in the broadest sense, both from a historical and a contemporary perspective. Fellowships are intended to support research on campus, within the United States, or abroad.

Application details: Eligible candidates must submit an application that includes: 1) a description of the  research project of up to four pages (single spaced); 2) a CV of up to two pages; 3) a budget plan; 4) a list of other sources of financial support; 5) an unofficial UC Berkeley transcript; 6) a letter of recommendation from a UC Berkeley faculty member, emailed directly to  [email protected] , with indication “ABD Graduate Students Research Fellowships in International & Area Studies.”

Award amount: up to $11,000. Grant amounts are at the discretion of the jury.

Graduate Students

Ccb graduate students.

Our graduate students are PhD and Designated Emphasis students drawn from departments representing the core disciplines of computational biology, including molecular and cell biology, integrated biology, plant and microbial biology, bioengineering, computer science, mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, chemistry, physics and environmental science, policy and management.

Graduate Student Researchers

Nerissa Nance (2021-2024)

Nerissa Nance is a  Lead Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk.

PhD sponsored by Maya Petersen, M.D. Ph.D.

Lauren Liao (2021-2024)

Lauren Liao is a Senior Data Analyst at Kaiser Permanente. 

PhD sponsored by Alejandro Schuler, Ph.D.

Shalika Gupta (2021-2024)

Haodong Li (2019-2024)

PhD sponsored by Mark van der Laan, Ph.D.

Sajia Darwish (2022-2023)

Sajia Darwish is a Biostatistics Ph.D. student at Harvard University.

MPH sponsored by Alan Hubbard, Ph.D.

Pablo Freyria Duenas (2021-2022)

Pablo Freyria Duenas is a Data and Policy Analyst at Acumen, LLC.

David Chen (2020-2023)

David Chen is a Statistician at UCSF for the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care.

PhD sponsored by Alan Hubbard, Ph.D.

Lauren Dang (2020-2023)

Lauren Dang is a  Mathematical Statistician at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

PhD sponsored by Alan Hubbard, Ph.D

Philippe Boileau (2020-2021)

Philippe Boileau is an Associate at the Analysis Group.

Christopher Hoover (2020)

Christopher Hoover is the Director of Research and Evaluation for Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

Nicholas Sim (2019)

Nicholas Sim is a  Lead Research Specialist in Management Information at Ministry of Education, Singapore (MOE).

Ivana Malenica (2017-2022)

Ivana Malenica is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University.

Nima Hejazi (2017-2021)

Nima Hejazi is an  Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at the  Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Lina Montoya (2017-2020)

Lina Montoya is  Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Aurelien Bibaut (2015-2021)

Aurelien Bibaut is a Senior Research Scientist at Netflix.

Weixin Cai (2015-2019)

Weixin Cai is an  Applied Scientist Manager at Microsoft.

Alejandra Benitez (2014-2020)

Alejandra Benitez is Statistical Scientist at  Genentech.

Cheng Ju (2014-2018)

Cheng Ju is a Staff Research Scientist in Machine Learning for Netflix.

Varada Sarovar (2014-2017)

Varada Sarovar is a  Senior Data Consultant for the Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente.

Linh Tran (2012-2016)

Linh Tran is a Staff Data Scientist at Twitter.

Erin LeDell (2011-2015)

Erin LeDell is a Chief Machine Learning Scientist at H2O.ai and Founder, CEO of DataScientific, Inc.

PhD sponsored by Maya Petersen, M.D. Ph.D. & Mark van der Laan, Ph.D.

Samuel David Lendle (2010-2015)

Samuel David Lendle is a Senior Staff Scientist at Pandora.

Daniel Brown (2010-2014)

Daniel Brown is a Principal Machine Learning Scientist at Carelon Digital.

PhD Sponsored by Maya Petersen, M.D. Ph.D.

Ivan Díaz (2009-2013)

Ivan Díaz is an Associate Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Inna Gerlovina (2008-2016)

Inna Gerlovina is an Assistant Researcher at UCSF.

Jordan Brooks (2008-2012)

Jordan Brooks is a Senior Researcher at Life Expectancy Project.

Sherri Rose (2007-2011)

Sherri Rose is a Professor of Health Policy and Co-Director of the Health Policy Data Science Lab at Stanford University.

Susan Gruber (2007-2011)

Susan Gruber is Co-Founder of TL Revolution and Founder/Principal of Putnam Data Sciences.

2024 Application for Graduate Fellows

Graduate Fellowships

2024 call for applications, the kavli center for ethics, science, and the public invites applications for its graduate fellowship program..

Discoveries in science and technology are moving quickly from basic research to real-world applications, sometimes with societal-scale impact, and scientists are increasingly encountering challenges that fall outside their expertise. We need a new kind of training that prepares scientists to confront the current and future ethical challenges of their fields, and that creates social scientists, philosophers, journalists, and policymakers who are able to work with scientists and diverse communities to ensure that the applications of scientific discoveries protect and advance fundamental human interests. The Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public aims to build a transdisciplinary community of research and learning that breaks down barriers between disciplines and across academia and society, to work together to envision the futures we want our scientific advances to create. 

The center is launching applications for its next cohort of fellows. We’re looking for graduate students in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and professional schools who are interested in exploring ethical challenges, advancing solutions, and identifying ways of involving impacted communities and the public in science and technology. Successful applicants will be offered a fellowship of 16 months (3 semesters) with modest funding available to work and study in the center and be a part of a new kind of community.  

About the Center

The UC Berkeley Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public comprises three elements: a “hub,” representing the core activities of the center, where all affiliates come together to address fundamental ethical questions across disciplinary boundaries; “spokes” linking these activities to specific scientific disciplines; and an “axle” connecting the center with the larger society it sits within. Current spoke sciences focus on genome editing, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience. These areas have enormous potential to benefit humanity but also raise questions of practical and existential ethical significance and may affect distinct communities differently. Bringing these three scientific fields together under one center enables the identification of shared challenges and the translation of solutions and lessons learned from one to another. Read more about the Kavli Center here .

The Kavli Center collaborates with many departments and institutes on campus to provide fellows with access to leading researchers and scholars in their fields. Read more about our structure and core faculty here .

Eligibility

Applicants are eligible for the fellowship if they are graduate students (master’s or PhD) who meet the following conditions:

Enrollment in a UC Berkeley graduate degree program in either 

A. a science or technical degree program 1 relevant to one of the three scientific spokes 2 : Artificial Intelligence, Genome Editing, or Neuroscience.

B. a humanities or social science discipline, or a professional school, in fields including (but not limited to) Philosophy, Social Science, Economics, Sociology, Ethics, Public Health, Public Policy, Journalism, Business, or Law.

Completion of the following degree requirements:

A. Completion of the first-year course requirements in the candidate’s home department (for those in the sciences and professional schools) and selection of a primary adviser/PI (for those in the sciences).

B. Advancement to candidacy (for those in the humanities and social sciences).

1 Examples of qualifying programs include (but are not limited to) Molecular and Cell Biology Graduate Program, Bioengineering Graduate Program, Neuroscience Graduate Program, or Data Sciences Graduate Program.

2 Candidates need not be conducting dissertation research directly in AI, Genome Editing, or Neuroscience, though applicants who are doing so may be preferred.  

Overarching Goals of the Program

With the Fellowship Program, the Kavli Center aims to:

Remove disciplinary silos.

Advance our understanding of ethical challenges in innovative science, and advance how they can be addressed across different disciplines and diverse publics.

Strengthen the ability of scientists to recognize and respond to ethical challenges.

Strengthen the ability of scholars to communicate and collaborate with scientists and other experts.

Strengthen the ability of scholars and scientists to recognize the value of engaging publics, stakeholders, and communities in the questions our scientific advances raise.

Support reflection on the role and responsibilities of scientists and experts.

Program Structure

The program is designed to supplement student’s graduate programs and existing training in their primary field.  We hope to see fellows cross the boundaries of typically siloed disciplines and explore public, stakeholder, or community perspectives in defining ethical applications of science and technology. To this end, the program is structured in three-parts.

Learning & Exploration : Fellows will expand their training outside their primary discipline through weekly colloquia, workshops, and special access to courses and other learning opportunities. The emphasis during this initial stage is to explore new concepts and skills, and gain a common foundational understanding of different dimensions of ethical challenges and opportunities presented by advancements in science, with an emphasis on our three spoke sciences. Fellows will bring their distinct areas of expertise to teach each other and foster collective growth.

Ideation : During this second phase, fellows will continue their exploration of different fields and discussion of ethical dilemmas born from scientific advancements, but will begin to define a small project that will be executed during the third phase. This project will build on what they’ve explored in the first semester. We ask that fellows stretch their boundaries during this project beyond their primary thesis work. Fellows will pitch their project ideas to their colleagues and to some of our core faculty and researchers for feedback. The center aims to support fellows in a variety of different project paths. Such a project may look like a small community or public engagement that engages around hopes, fears, or ethical questions about a scientific advancement. It may look like a chapter in a thesis, a public-facing piece about the ethical, legal, or social implications of science, or organizing a convening around a particular issue. Where center-wide projects align with the fellow’s interests, a fellowship project may look like participation in a larger research or engagement effort. Lastly, projects could be individual or collaborative with other fellows. 

Execution : Following project approval from the Executive Director, fellows will shift to working on their projects. Weekly meetings will still provide ongoing training, but will also include space for sharing works in progress and getting feedback. The center will help connect fellows with experts or resources that can provide additional insights. 

We aspire to create a strong cohort of scientists and scholars who will continue to interact during their professional careers.  This cohort model has been successful in building other novel fields, through forming strong support and collaboration among current students, postdocs, and program alumni who have moved on to other positions in academia, industry, NGOs, foundations and government. By regularly convening program alumni and fostering connections, we will create a community that goes beyond UC Berkeley to effect positive change in the real world.

Program Elements

A weekly Colloquium (Mondays 2pm–4pm) represents the core programming for the Kavli Center Fellows. Weeks alternate between formats to bring training, discussion, and work-in-progress support to the fellows. 

Working groups or journal clubs formed around the interests of the fellows.

Independent time within the center. The center acts as a hub to connect fellows to other experts and to provide support in project development.

Community building and support for each person’s individual development.

Availability of special opportunities (see below). 

Examples of Special Opportunities

The Kavli Center develops pilot projects, new courses, workshops, events, or research and engagement opportunities that are open to the fellows. Below are upcoming opportunities and previous examples.

Special access to a new spring 2025 course taught by the Kavli Center’s Co-Director, Jodi Halpern: “Skillful Ethical Reasoning for Innovation and Health Leadership." This course is case-based yet takes an unusually systematic approach. Each week introduces one of four major ethical theories, showing how the theories relate to each other using real cases in public health, germline gene editing, experimental invasive neuro-technologies, and a range of uses of AI in health.

An op-ed workshop led by historian and journalist, Elena Conis, and collaboration with a journalism graduate class to write about ethical issues in science for a public audience. Past fellows have had their work submitted to outlets such as Undark, Wired, and Scientific American.

Participation in projects from the Berkeley Ethics and Regulation Group for Innovative Technologies . One or two fellows may be selected to join the planning group and work regularly with ethics and regulation experts.

Participation in a collaborative project with the Berkeley Public Library to bring discussions about ethical questions in our three spoke areas to the Berkeley public ( past example ). 

Participation in new courses organized by the Kavli Center or its affiliates: for example, the center created two new courses that were offered in 2023 and 2024 .

The center often hosts diplomats or policy experts or has access to invitation-only events with high-level experts and officials. When fellows’ expertise aligns, we regularly nominate or include them in such events.

Expectations

Regularly attend and contribute to program activities which include presenting journal articles for discussion, contributing to or leading group discussions, helping to organize seminars, and exchanging feedback on work in progress. 

Attend project or skill development workshops and other center events.

Contribute to growing the Kavli Center community. 

Produce a fellowship project output. As described above, this may be through any number of activities and can include working independently or collaboratively on a toolkit, a white paper, a public/stakeholder/community engagement on a specific topic, a policy or regulatory proposal, a thesis chapter on an ethical dilemma in a science spoke, an op-ed, or any number of meaningful efforts that align with the goals of the center.

Present your work to the broader Kavli Center community.

Participate in alumni activities, returning periodically for cohort retreats and networking.

Fellows will have access to rotating desk space and meeting rooms in 621 Sutardja Dai Hall.

Start Date and Fellowship Duration

Graduate Fellowships begin at the start of the fall 2024 semester. The first meeting and orientation will be scheduled for the second week of September. Participation is year-round, and will run until the end of Fall 2025 semester (16 months).

The Kavli Center provides an award of up to $10,000 to support fellows' participation in the program. This award may be put toward stipend (including summer stipend), tuition, or fees. The mechanisms for administering the award may vary depending on the student’s department (past disbursements have been to PIs or via departmentally distributed awards). 

How to Apply

Complete the online application: https://form.jotform.com/241337710113141

As part of the application, you will be asked to include:

An Interest Statement : Up to 750 words submitted as a form attachment (see the instructions below). 

A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement : up to 250 words via a form field describing your personal background and contributions to diversity, equity, and valuing inclusion of a variety of perspectives and lived experiences. Applicants who address these as part of their interest statement may simply state so in the form field.

A copy of your curriculum vitae or resume submitted as a form attachment.

A s tatement of support from your thesis supervisor or mentor submitted via a separate form (see the instructions below).

Instructions for the Interest Statement

Interest Statements should include the following:

Describe the relevance of the Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public Fellowship to your academic or professional development . Why are you interested in this program? How will the program help you achieve your career goals or fill a gap missing in your current training and why? 

Describe your interest areas. What is the topic of your current thesis work and what interest areas and key learning questions do you envision pursuing in the Kavli Center if awarded the fellowship? While ideas for fellowship projects and outputs will be developed during the fellowship program, what projects or work products might you imagine emerging from your time in the center? Is there a question you wish to pursue or a particular area of interest that stretches beyond your immediate disciplinary training? Not all successful applicants will have a pre-defined project and may instead hope to use the fellowship to explore how they might integrate some of the concepts and values of the center into their own research or practice. In either case, interest statements should indicate how you hope to use your time in the fellowship program, if selected.

Statements should be no more than 750 words, single-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point font and include your full name at the top.

Instructions for the Statement of Support

If you have a PI or academic advisor who supervises your thesis work, we ask that they fill out a form to indicate their approval of your participation in the fellowship program and to provide a 1-paragraph statement of support. This paragraph should help support why you would make a good Ethics, Science, and the Public Graduate Fellow. For those without a thesis supervisor, please have a mentor or faculty member who can speak to your qualifications fill out the statement of support.

Tip: It may help to provide your recommender with some bullet points highlighting why you want to be involved in this program and what makes you an excellent candidate .

Statements of support should be submitted through the following form and are also due Monday, July 15, 2024 by 11:59pm PT (**newly extended**): https://airtable.com/app98b01wuELiQ4yr/pagO4AyZBYEcfyRNu/form

Application Deadline

UPDATED DEADLINE: The Graduate Fellowship application is  due Monday, July 15, 2024 by 11:59pm PT . This includes the statement of support submitted by your supervisor or mentor.

Anticipated Timeline

We anticipate notifying applicants of our decision by mid August, 2024 .

Start of the fellowship: Second week of September, 2024 . Exact date and time of the first meeting will be scheduled around the incoming cohort’s schedule.

Please direct any questions to [email protected]

UPDATED NOTE (July 22, 2024) : We have posted a page for  potential visiting students, postdocs, or faculty scholars.  Please check out the  Visiting Scholars and Students  page.   We will be posting one center-funded postdoctoral fellow position We encourage  those interested in joining the postdoctoral fellowship but who have or will be applying for their own funding (via grants) to reach out directly or submit an application via the soon-to-be-posted postdoctoral fellow position.

The work that I have done studying philosophy and ethics [in the Kavli Center], both broadly and within my discipline have reflected back directly on how I conduct my research and how I teach about CRISPR, specifically as an instructor for the CRISPR course with the African Plant Breeding Academy.

~ Nicholas Karavolias ,  2023 Ethics, Science, and the Public Graduate Fellow; Plant Scientst in the Staskawicz Lab

Quick Info.

Applications are closed.

Application Deadline : (**deadline extended**) Monday, July 15, 2024 by 11:59pm PT.

Eligibility : Current UC Berkeley graduate students (master’s or PhD) who meet the described conditions.

Duration & Award : Sept. 2024 – Dec. 2025 (16 months) & up to $10,000

Download Application Instructions

Research Opportunities

Economics Undergradaute Majors

From all accounts, getting into research is one of the more rewarding experiences students can have in college. Research can open doors - academic or career - that you hadn't imagined before. Delve into a topic and seek answers to questions of great interest to you. Establish an easy camaraderie with one of the faculty or graduate students. Here's how... Engage in Faculty-led Research

URAP. Apprentice with a faculty member in the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP). The URAP program provides opportunities for you to work with faculty on some cutting-edge research. Working closely with faculty, you can cultivate professional relationships, enhance your research skills, and deepen your knowledge and skills in areas of special interest. Applications are online. For a complete listing and description of research projects, check out the URAP website or stop by 2412 Dwinelle Hall.

Design Your Own Research

Please note that these courses require a significant level of departmental approval. See links provided for important details. Independent Study Courses. Think about your own research, perhaps as an independent study. In such cases, a faculty mentor can help you stay focused and develop skills in asking and answering research questions. You can receive credit for your independent research by enrolling in one or more units of Econ 199. Courses vary from one to three units, depending on the extensiveness of the project, and are only offered on a Pass/Not Pass basis. During the regular academic year, forms are due the Friday of the 3rd week of classes . For additional details, visit the undergraduate advisors. Honors Thesis. About 5 to 10% of Economics majors write an Honors Thesis. If you have a strong interest in a particular topic and would like the experience of researching and writing a long research paper, consider writing an Honors Thesis. Students who write an honors thesis work independently with a faculty sponsor. In order to qualify for honors, Economics majors must have 1) a 3.3 or higher GPA in all their UC coursework; 2) a 3.5 or higher GPA in thier upper-division Economics courses at UC Berkeley; and 3) complete an honors thesis, as noted by a passing grade in Econ H195B. For specifics, please refer to the Honors website or speak with an undergraduate advisor. The Haas Scholars Program. The Robert & Colleen Haas Scholars Program funds financial aid eligible, academically talented undergraduates to engage in a sustained research, field-study or creative project in the summer before and during their senior year at Berkeley. Each year, twenty Haas Scholars are selected from all disciplines and departments across the University on the basis of the merit and originality of their project proposals. For more information, call (510) 643-5374, go to the website , or visit the program office at 2414 Dwinelle Hall.  

Identify Sources of Funding Various units on campus offer or administer grants, scholarships, and awards for purposes ranging from: introductory and senior thesis research, study abroad and research related travel, community and university service projects, and merit based awards acknowledging outstanding scholarship. For more information about these funding opportunities, check out the listings below.

• Haas Scholars Program
• McNair Scholars Program
• SURF: Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (L&S)
• Student Mentoring and Research Teams (SMART)

Publish Your Research

The Berkeley Undergraduate Journal is dedicated to publishing the academic work of undergraduates from the Humanities, Social Sciences, and related fields at the University of California, Berkeley. Essays are selected on the basis of academic content, general interest, and clarity of writing. Papers should be 15-60 pages long, on topics that would be of interest to the generally well-educated reader. For submission instructions, applications to the all-undergraduate Editorial Board, or further information, call (510) 664-4410 or email [email protected] .

Issues in Political Economy is edited and refereed by undergraduates and publishes essays by undergraduates. This journal is published by Elon University and the University of Mary Washington.

Undergraduate Economic Review is edited by undergraduates and publishes essays authored by undergraduates. It is based at Illinois Wesleyan University.

The Michigan Journal of Economics , founded in 1979, is the oldest undergraduate economics journal in the country. The MJE provides an opportunity for outstanding undergraduates interested in economics to have their papers published. Furthermore, it provides undergraduates with models of how to write economics papers. It encourages students to become interested in economics by providing examples of what is studied within the discipline.

Summer Opportunities for Undergraduates

American Economic Association Summer Training and Scholarship Program Since 1974, the American Economic Association has sponsored the Summer Training and Scholarship Program (AEASP). The AEA Summer Training Program, currently hosted at Howard University, seeks to prepare talented undergraduates for doctoral programs in Economics and related disciplines, by offering a unique opportunity for students to gain technical skills in Economics and conduct research with prominent faculty.  All US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for scholarship assistance. Preference will be given to applicants who, by their background, life experience, and scholarship can show they will bring greater diversity to the field and who also demonstrate financial need. The purpose of the Summer Training Program is to provide a strong basis for the professional success of individuals from diverse backgrounds who will inform the profession and broaden the scope and impact of high quality research agendas that are pursued in economics and in related fields.

Information about upcoming conferences, events and fellowships through AEA for current undergraduates can be found here .

Post-Baccalaureate Research Opportunities

Pursuing research after completing an undergraduate degree is a great option for students who would like to gain more experience prior to graduate school. Post-baccalaureate research opportunities can be found through the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and PREDOC: Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers . For research opportunities outside of the NBER, click here and follow @econ_ra on Twitter.

Visit the American Economic Association (AEA) for information about conferences, events and fellowships for post-bacs.

For additional research opportunities visit the Office of Undergraduate Research.  

Click here for COVID-19 information and resources .

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Workforce Development & Education

A Berkeley Lab Site

Science Graduate Student Research

Selected students spend three to 12 consecutive months performing research towards their theses at a DOE laboratory or facility with a DOE scientist.

Research Interests and Special Skills

We encourage you to look at Berkeley Lab’s website to learn more about the Lab and any research projects that you would find interesting. You may view the Lab’s various scientific divisions at the Scientific Divisions web page . It may also be useful to use keywords (research areas, project titles, or Berkeley Lab staff names) in the search field on Elements  and Berkeley Lab News Center . Learn more about WD&E mentors’ current research on our News and Events page .

Reaching Out to a Researcher

If you find a researcher whose project sounds like a good match, please contact that person to see if he or she is interested in hosting an intern. We have found this personal interaction to be a very effective way to match interns and mentors. You can get contact information for any scientist at Berkeley Lab by simply clicking “Directory” in the banner at the top of any page on the  Lab’s website.

Have the researcher contact Nakeiah Harrell, Internship Manager, at [email protected] . Feel free to email Nakeiah with information about projects or researchers of interest, and Workforce Development & Education (WD&E) may contact them on your behalf as well.

Researchers are very busy and it may take some tenacity to connect with them. We encourage you to reach out to others in the department (e.g., an administrator) who may be helpful in redirecting you to other scientists with projects that would be a good fit for you as well.

Initiative is a very desirable quality in candidates for our programs; demonstrating initiative and your passion for science is likely to make a positive impact on our scientific staff. Connecting with a scientist and discussing your passion, acumen, and any collaborative opportunities via a WD&E internship is the best avenue to a successful placement. In your application, please speak to your passion for science and how it relates to some of the research we do at Berkeley Lab. This is helpful when mentors are considering applicants. Note: Lab experience is not required for acceptance into the program.

The SCGSR program is sponsored and managed by the Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS). Visit the DOE’s SCGSR site for more information on the program and how to apply.

Housing Information

Direct Deposit  

Please review and complete the instructions provided in the link below to securely submit your banking information within 10 days prior to your orientation date.

Instructions for Self Service Direct Deposit Travel and AP.pdf – Google Drive

Please contact  [email protected]  for assistance.

MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES

Scientific Research Areas

Explore Scientific Research Areas at the Lab that Offer Internships

Visitor Information

Information on Visiting, Maps, Contact information, Transportation and More

Educational Resources

Links to Additional Education Programs Vetted by Workforce Development and Education

Discover the Institutions and Organizations Who Support Our Internship Programs

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Graduate Program

Ph.d. in economics.

The Ph.D. program at Berkeley is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced study and conducting original research in Economics. The Ph.D. degree is awarded in recognition of the recipient's qualifications as a general economist and of the ability to make scholarly contributions in fields of specialization. Additionally, the Economics Ph.D. program is residential, there is no remote enrollment option. 

In advancing to the Ph.D. degree, students pass through two major stages:

• Preparation for candidacy typically takes two to three years. During the first two semesters, students take courses to achieve competence in econometric methods, methods of economic history and fundamentals of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. During the next two years, students prepare for examination in two fields of specialization of their choosing, prepare a dissertation prospectus, and take an oral examination. When these steps are completed, students are advanced to candidacy.
• Completion of a dissertation after advancing to candidacy typically takes one to two years. The dissertation must be based on original research and represent a significant contribution to the body of Economic knowledge.

The entire process takes approximately five to six years, although some students are able to complete the program in less time. Below is an overview of the program requirements by year and other pertinent information.

Program Requirements

• Years 4 to 6
• Program Rules
• Frequently Used Forms
• Financial Support

• Current Students

Half-million-dollar grant will create peer review and science communication curriculum for grad students

• By Elise Proulx
• 3 min. read ▪ Published August 29
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The ability to critically evaluate scientific literature is crucial for graduate students as they start their careers in science.

However, a lack of systematic training can hamper students’ future ability to review the work of others in their field.

“Reviewing scientific literature and analyzing literature is a huge part of graduate student education,” says Sarah Klass , a postdoctoral fellow in the Keasling Lab at UC Berkeley and the Joint Bioenergy Institute and the lead recipient of a $499,992, two-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). “But there’s no formal education” on how to do it, Klass continues.

To attempt to remedy this disconnection, Klass and her partners will use the NSF grant to fund a new curriculum that will immerse graduate students in the sciences in the “principles and practices of peer review and science communication with a heavy emphasis on building practical skills.” Peer review is the system in which multiple experts review scientific papers to ensure quality before publication.

The team will spend the first year developing a curriculum. The second year, UC Berkeley grad students will put it to the test. The grant team, which will also include UC Berkeley School of Public Health professor Stefano M. Bertozzi and a to-be-determined team of UC Berkeley graduate students, will collect data on impact and effectiveness.

The proposed curriculum builds upon the success that the journal Rapid Reviews\Infectious Diseases ( RR\ID ) has had in making rigorous peer review faster and more efficient, partially by training UC Berkeley undergraduate students. RR\ID is an open-access journal that prioritizes rapid and efficient peer review alongside offering student training and mentoring and supporting the democratization of academic publishing through partnerships with a dozen academic institutions in low- and middle-income countries that will be established over the next three years. Bertozzi is the journal’s editor-in-chief

“As part of UC Berkeley Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program, RR\ID editors have offered a workshop allowing undergraduates to participate in research projects with faculty members for academic credit, focusing on topics of special interest,” the grant application reads. “The aim is to familiarize undergraduate students with contemporary scientific and academic research, peer review processes, and publication standards, particularly concerning infectious diseases.”

The new curriculum project will pilot a curriculum for a training program that will initially involve STEM graduate students enrolled at UC Berkeley, specializing in a broad spectrum of fields related to infectious diseases, data science, public health, engineering, and basic biological and chemical sciences. “By providing graduate students with the necessary tools and insights to critically evaluate scientific literature and review preprints, our goal is to improve graduate student research/literature comprehension and engagement with their respective STEM fields,” the team said.

“We are trying to teach good peer review skills to graduate students so they can help enable the rapid dissemination of scientifically vetted literature that can have an immediate impact on people’s lives,” says Klass.

“Above all, the intellectual discourse that needs to happen around science is closed off and isolated,” says Hildy Fong Baker, executive director of the UC Berkeley Center for Global Public Health and managing director of the project. “We are creating an avenue for people to be part of an ecosystem at the beginning of their careers.”

The course materials created during the two-year grant period will eventually be available to all via open access to encourage other institutions to adopt and adapt the curriculum worldwide.

People of BPH found in this article include:

• Stefano Bertozzi Professor, Health Policy and Management

More in category “School News”:

Meet our new faculty: lia scott, meet our new faculty: carly strouse, meet our new faculty: xiudi li, alum melissa stafford jones on her career developing meaningful policy approaches in public health.