The UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab (SSL) is dedicated to expanding scientific knowledge of Earth, the space environment, the solar system, and the wider cosmos. Since its founding in 1959, SSL has participated in over 50 NASA space science missions including the Apollo, Mars, and Explorer programs, as well as numerous international missions. SSL researchers have pioneered instrumentation for the study of the Sun, interplanetary medium, and planets, and have advanced optical, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma-ray, radio, and infrared astronomy, as well as measurement of the cosmic microwave background.
Home to around 400 scientists, engineers, students, technicians, and staff, SSL offers end-to-end capabilities for space science research, from instrument design and fabrication to spacecraft integration, launch support, mission operations, and data analysis — including commanding spacecraft and receiving data through SSL's own ground station. Alongside this technical work, SSL is deeply committed to training and mentoring the next generation of space scientists and engineers in a collaborative, supportive environment, enabling them to realize their full potential.
The Program
This Discovery Research Hub, in partnership with the Space Sciences Lab, is a program designed to provide research leadership experience to affiliated graduate students and postdoctoral researchers at UC Berkeley. This program enables graduate students and postdocs to develop crucial leadership skills; conceptualize, propose, and lead research projects; and to gain real-world experience creating budgets, managing projects, and mentoring undergraduates. Additionally, to simulate real-world conditions, participants are provided with funding for necessary resources and have the autonomy to recruit undergraduate students for their own research cluster. In its pilot year, this endeavor aims to expand the depth and intensity of graduate, post-graduate, and undergraduate training and professionalization.
Leadership Development
The Discovery Hub supports graduate and postdoctoral research while developing the leadership and mentorship skills of these students and postdocs. Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellows (Fellows) assume leadership of their own scientific investigations, oversee small research groups, and receive regular guidance, networking opportunities, and presentation practice. The Fellows attend monthly workshops to learn skills for creating productive mentoring relationships, applying for professional and academic opportunities, developing coherent pitches and presentations, and other aspects of leadership development. Some workshops also include Undergraduate Scholars. This workshop series, facilitated by Berkeley Discovery, fosters community among the Fellows and undergraduate students. Meetings serve the dual purpose of fostering collaborations among the Fellows while helping to support them as they lead their independent research clusters. These sessions incorporate guest speakers, structured workshop time, and networking, and conclude in a symposium.
Research Clusters & Funding
Fellows recruit 2 Undergraduate Scholars who will join them in some aspect of their research. Fellows design a research agenda for the students and work with them throughout the year to hone methods and ideas related to the field of their specific project. To close the year, undergraduates and their mentors present the year’s work at the Discovery Hubs Symposium. Fellows are funded for year-long projects, to ensure ample time for the development of both their ideas and of the community among their students.
To lead their research cluster, Fellows are provided with stipends of $1,000 per Undergraduate Scholar per semester. Fellows will also be able to apply for a small pool of research funds (up to $2,000) to support their work.