PhD student in Formal Quantum Field Theory

Are you interested in working in formal quantum field theory, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD student position in mathematics at Uppsala University.

The Department of Mathematics conducts research and provides education at undergraduate and graduate levels in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics. The number of employees is around 130, including around 40 PhD students. The Department has three research programmes: Analysis and Probability, Algebra and Geometry, Applied Mathematics and Statistics. To read more please visit the department’s webpage.

This PhD position is to work in the context of the ERC project "The higher structure of symmetries" (ERC CoG - 101171582 - HIGH), under the supervision of Michele Del Zotto. The PhD thesis will be about applications of higher category theory techniques to study the physics of extended operators and defects in quantum field theories in various dimensions.

Duties
The duties of a PhD student are primarily directed at their own research education, which lasts for four years. For this position the research education must be in the context of formal quantum field theory under the supervision of Michele Del Zotto. The work may also involve, to a limited extent (maximum 20%, that is about 80 contact hours per year), other departmental duties, mainly related to teaching undergraduate courses – in which case the position may be extended to maximum five years.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in Theoretical Physics or Mathematics, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

In addition, the candidate should have a good command of spoken and written English.

Application
A complete application should include

• a short and concise description of research interests, previous experiences and future expectations, indicating also the motivation to join the research group of Michele Del Zotto
• a Curriculum Vitae,
• copies of diplomas and certificates of grades,
• a copy of the master thesis (or a preliminary outline thereof), and
• contact details of up to three referees. We do not want any letters of recommendation to be included in the application.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 September 2025 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Michele Del Zotto, michele.delzotto@math.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 11 June 2025, UFV-PA 2025/1599.

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