Two or more PhD positions in theoretical physics

Are you interested in working with theoretical physics, 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 position in theoretical physics at Uppsala University.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is one of the largest at Uppsala University, with almost 400 employees, of which about 125 are PhD students. The department conducts world-class research and education in both theoretical and experimental physics and has extensive collaboration with the outside world. The research is carried out at ten research divisions and covers everything from the unimaginably small to the large in areas such as energy supply, climate development, new materials and the universe. This entire spectrum is also reflected in the department's courses and training programmes. Around 2,500 students take undergraduate and graduate courses at the department every year. Read more on http://www.physics.uu.se

The PhD positions are within the Division of Theoretical Physics, one of the 10 divisions within the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Uppsala University. Our division offers a world-class environment for research in quantum field theory, gravity, string theory and related areas of mathematical physics. The division currently consists of approximately 30 researchers. The positions belong to projects funded by the European Research Council with a focus on scattering amplitudes. More information can be found at the group’s website:

https://www.uu.se/en/department/physics-and-astronomy/research/theoretical-physics

Duties

The division plans to recruit two or more ambitious PhD students in theoretical physics. The main activity will be research on scattering amplitudes in quantum field theory, gravity, string theory, gravitational waves and effective field theory as well as their interplay with particle phenomenology, number theory and algebraic geometry. Other duties at the department related to teaching and administration will be included in the positions (maximum 20%).

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

• - hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in 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.

The application must include a statement (approximately one page) that summarizes the applicant's merits, academic experiences, and research interests. In particular, we would appreciate if the applicant indicates their preference for research in one of the following two directions:

1. a) applications of amplitude methods for particle physics, effective field theory and gravitational waves,
2. b) mathematical structures of scattering amplitudes, with emphasis on string theory & Feynman integrals.

The application must also include a CV, copies of university grades, completed theses or manuscripts and other relevant publications.

Additional qualifications
We plan to recruit a conscientious person with a strong academic background who works well in a research group. Special weight will be given to any prior research experience in the fields of quantum field theory, gravity, string theory, gravitational waves, particle physics, number theory or algebraic geometry.

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: 

Henrik Johansson, henrik.johansson@physics.uu.se
Oliver Schlotterer, oliver.schlotterer@physics.uu.se
Chia-Hsien Shen, chshen@phys.ntu.edu.tw

Please submit your application by 15 January 2025, UFV-PA 2024/4071.

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