Join

How to apply (graduate and postdoctoral)

I receive a large number of expressions of interest from prospective students and postdocs each year. To ensure an equitable process of consideration, I request that you do not email me directly with a cover letter, but instead share your information with me by responding to a small set of standard questions. I will review submissions every month according to a rubric, and reach out to candidates who are potentially a good fit, in order to discuss further and potentially encourage a formal application. The form notifies me when new submissions are made. You can submit your information at https://forms.gle/bXeDwMfPLp87E72o7.

Join the lab – postdoctoral researchers / collaborators

I am always interested in expressions of interest from potential postdoctoral researchers. Projects could focus on any topic of mutual interest, and use a combination of field, modeling, or informatics approaches.

Funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers at UC Berkeley
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
UC Berkeley Miller Fellowship
UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Funding opportunities international applicants, and for anyone interested in independent funding
Other funding opportunities – approximately 50 grants available to postdoctoral researchers

Join the lab – PhD students

Possible PhD topic areas and a description of the lab’s mentoring style are available at https://benjaminblonder.org/join/mentoring-approach/. Applicants with a demonstrated interest in community outreach, education, or diversity/equity/inclusion work are especially encouraged. Current research themes are described at https://benjaminblonder.org/research/.

The lab provides a supportive and inclusive environment for members of all life experiences to develop independence as scientists and as engaged citizens. We build teams with people who have the capacity to succeed, rather than those who have always succeeded before. The lab provides close mentoring support via regular meetings, an open-door policy, 360° feedback sessions, and a strong learning community bringing together undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers.

About the program
Students can join the lab through the PhD program in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) at the University of California – Berkeley (https://ourenvironment.berkeley.edu/). The ESPM program offers a chance to work with award-winning faculty in climate science, biodiversity, environmental policy, land use, and community outreach. The program also provides opportunities to interact with other parts of the university, e.g. the Energy and Resources Group, Agricultural and Resource Economics, the Goldman School of Public Policy, the Department of Integrative Biology, and the University of California Museum of Paleontology, as well as to access the University of California’s Natural Reserve system. More information on the graduate program can be found at https://ourenvironment.berkeley.edu/graduate-programs/degrees/the-phd-program. The GRE is not required for admission. Admission can be challenging this year due to the small size of the graduate program, but prospective students are welcome to explore an application.

Admitted students are guaranteed five years of financial support (annually, two semesters’ stipend + tuition). Students can also find further independent funding; the lab will cover conference + summer costs as grant resources allow. We have had a good track record of helping students obtain independent funding through e.g. an NSF graduate research fellowship or DOE graduate fellowship.

Funding resources
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP)
DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program

Join the lab – undergraduate students

At UC Berkeley, I primarily recruit students through the CNR SPUR and URAP mechanisms. Please check these programs for deadlines and opportunities (usually prior to the start of a semester). I support all of our students with either academic credit or pay (stipend or hourly, currently $18/hr as a lab minimum wage). We try to do recruitment via open calls and rubric-based evaluation to minimize biases in recruitment, so I encourage you to apply via one of our regular scheduled calls. If you have a more complex circumstance or opportunity (e.g. based at a community college, or seeking to apply for a fellowship) you are welcome to get in touch with me directly by email.

I currently do not work with minors (people under 18) on the Berkeley campus due to logistical and liability issues.