PhD Position on Theoretical Physics and Mathematical Physics

Do you enjoy working in quantum filed theory and string theory? The Amsterdam Institute of Theoretical Physics (ITFA) is looking for an ambitious PhD.

Join Us!
The PhD candidate will do original research in this area, and learn from the journal clubs, seminars, and summer schools inside and outside the research group. The methods used will include traditional analytic tools as well as AI-inspired computational tools. Theoretical physics and mathematical physics aims to understand the physical world from first principles. The prominent methods in this area include quantum field theory and string theory. The PhD research will be supervised by Dr. Miranda C.N. Cheng.

This is what you will do
You will work together with a strong, welcoming and collaborative teams on both theoretical physics and mathematical physics. You will write scientific publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, present results in leading international conferences, and help supervise Master students.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conducting independent research in physics and machine learning, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals;
• Help to guide Master students in the group.

What we ask of you
You have enthusiasm and talent for theoretical physics, mathematical physics, and their computational aspects.

Your experience and profile:

• MSc in physics;
• Fluent in spoken and written English;
• Excel academically, as indicated by grade transcript and curriculum vitae.
• Basic knowledge machine learning or other computational techniques.

This is what we offer you
We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is 01/10/2025. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,901 to € 3,707 (scale P).This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Promovendus is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

You will work in this team
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the Faculty of Science combines the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute (WZI), the Institute of Theoretical Physics (ITFA) and the Institute for High Energy Physics (IHEF) and is one of the large research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The mission of IoP is to carry out excellent research in the field of experimental and theoretical physics, to provide inspiring teaching within the physics and other curricula and to transfer our knowledge of and enthusiasm for physics to society. The IoP has over 70 faculty and 230 researchers in total.

The Amsterdam Institute of Theoretical Physics (ITFA)is a vibrant leading institute. The group's research interests are diverse and extend across condensed matter theory, high energy physics, and computational physics.

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button. We accept applications until and including 1 June 2025.

If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Miranda Cheng, mcheng@uva.nl

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• two letters of recommendation;
• a transcript of the courses you have followed and the grades.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)