Some of the most exciting scientific discoveries happen at the interfaces of multiple fields. It takes an adventurous scientist to train at the intersection of physics and biology—but the impact of bringing them together is extraordinary.

The UC Berkeley Biophysics Graduate Group offers a premier, interdisciplinary Biophysics PhD program. We train aspiring cross-disciplinary researchers to transform modern biology by applying the quantitative rigor, computational modeling, and analytical power of the physical sciences.

If independence, radical curriculum flexibility, and world-class quantitative biology research appeal to you, we invite you to apply to our doctoral program.

Why Choose Berkeley for your Biophysics PhD?

UC Berkeley offers an unparalleled environment for graduate study, defined by our public mission and a history of world-changing breakthroughs. Our program is consistently ranked among the top biophysics graduate programs in the United States.

• Radical flexibility: Independent from traditional single-discipline departments, our PhD program adapts to your unique research interests. Choose from over 60 affiliated faculty members spanning a dozen departments across campus, including Physics, Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB), Chemistry, and Bioengineering.
• Robust resources and co-mentorship: Benefit from a large campus network and our direct neighbor, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Students gain access to top-tier instrumentation like the Advanced Light Source (ALS) for X-ray crystallography. 
• Opportunities across campus: As a member of QB3-Berkeley and the Division of Biological Sciences, our students enjoy seamless collaborative options. For a broader view of biology graduate programs on campus, visit the Molecular & Cell Biology program overview.
• A collaborative culture: Bridging physics and biology requires teamwork. At Berkeley, world-class expertise in advanced imaging, structural biology, and bioinformatics is always just a stroll down the hall or across the campus. 
• A public mission: As a premier public institution, we are deeply committed to maximizing access to rigorous scientific training and fostering a diverse, inclusive community for brilliant minds from all backgrounds.

Areas of Research Excellence

Our faculty and graduate students work at the leading edge of modern biophysical chemistry and quantitative biology. Our core strengths include:

• Molecular & Structural Biophysics: Advancing fields like Cryo-EM, single-molecule imaging, protein folding, the structural dynamics of transcription and replication, and the assembly of macromolecular complexes.
• Cellular & Mechanobiology: Proving the mechanics of life through membrane dynamics, channel gating mechanisms, biomolecular condensates, cellular signaling, and synthetic biological circuits.
• Computational & Systems Biophysics: Driving innovation in bioinformatics, neural networks, machine learning for protein structure prediction, complex brain imaging (fMRI/PET), and evolutionary dynamics.

Groundbreaking Impact

Our collaborative culture has fueled major scientific revolutions led by Berkeley Biophysics faculty, alumni, and graduate students, including:

• The co-discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system.
• The launch of the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) revolution in structural biology.
• Pioneering advancements in super-resolution microscopy and single-molecule manipulation.

Learn More & Apply

Explore our admissions requirements, faculty lab rotations, and stipend details using the menu above. 

The online graduate application portal opens annually in September.