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Call for Applications: Director of IFAE Barcelona

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is seeking applicants for a new Director. IFAE is a consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) created in 1991. IFAE is a CERCA Center of Excellence whose mission is to perform cutting-edge research, theoretical and experimental, in high-energy physics, astroparticle physics and cosmology, going from particles to the cosmos, and, at the same time, to contribute to society by applying the acquired knowledge and insight in strategic sectors. CERCA is the public Catalan system of research institutes. IFAE is also a founding member of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), which includes seven leading CERCA centers in Catalonia. Closing date: April 14th 2026.

IFAE is located in the UAB campus near Barcelona. IFAE brings together ICREA research professors, UAB professors and its own scientific personnel to work in theoretical physics research lines in Standard Model, Beyond the Standard Model, and Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology, together with experimental research lines in Collider Physics (ATLAS), Neutrinos (T2K, HyperK), Gamma-Ray Astronomy (MAGIC, CTA), Gravitational Waves (Virgo, LIGO, ET), and Observational Cosmology (DES, PAU, DESI, Euclid, LSST). There are two applied research lines focused on Medical Imaging and Quantum Computing Technologies.

IFAE has a strong technical division playing a crucial role in all experiments. Our facilities include a microelectronics laboratory with state-of-the-art packaging and assembly technologies, clean rooms, a mechanical workshop, electronics labs, an optical room and a shielded room. Moreover IFAE manages, jointly with CIEMAT, PIC (Port d’Informació Científica), a large data-processing center, which is a Tier 1 of LHC and is recognized as a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure, offering advanced data services to the broad scientific community, including many physics groups.
Candidate profile

Successful candidates will have an established record of scientific excellence, experience and capacity of team and research management, and the innovative thinking necessary to lead the Institute. They should preferably have managed international projects or consortia. In-depth knowledge of the European and Spanish scientific environments will be considered an asset. While English is the working language of the Institute, knowledge of Catalan or Spanish could be advantageous.
Job description

The Director will have the following duties:

  • Provide the scientific vision and strategic goals for the Institute.
  • Manage, organize and lead the research and innovation activities at IFAE.
  • Guarantee financial sustainability and provide for sources of income (competitive funds, private sponsors, …).
  • Submit the Institute’s research activities program to the Governing Board of the Consortium.
  • Maintain close contact with CERCA in relation to the Institute’s progress and participate in the periodic evaluation of the Institute.
  • Any other functions approved by the Consortium.

Applicants should send a CV and a cover letter by e-mail to the Director of CERCA at candidatures(at)cerca.cat by April 14th, 2026. Informal inquiries are welcome and may be sent to the same address. The appointment will initially be for a period of 4 years, and it can be subsequently extended through successive 4-year periods. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. IFAE is an equal-opportunity employer and particularly encourages women and those from underrepresented minorities to apply.
Selection procedure

The Selection Committee—comprising representatives from the Governing Board, the CERCA Institution, and the External Scientific Committee (ESC)—will be responsible for screening all applications and identifying a shortlist of suitable candidates based on the requirements of the call. This same committee will conduct interviews with the shortlisted candidates, during which they will be asked to present their CV and a vision statement for IFAE. Following the interviews, the Selection Committee will propose a ranked list of candidates to the Governing Board of the Consortium, which will then select and appoint the new IFAE Director.

Tentative Calendar

  • February 23rd Call for applications
  • April 14th Application deadline
  • May 4th First meeting of selection committee – elaboration of the short list – interviews
  • June 4th Ranked list of final candidates by the selection committee
  • June 11th Appointment announced by the Governing Board

Please find here details.

Junior position in theoretical physics at the Institut de Physique Theorique CEA Saclay

The Institut de Physique Theorique (IPhT) invites applications for a junior-level permanent position in physics. The position is opened for researchers working on phenomenology of the standard models of the two infinities. This includes the standard model of cosmology (e.g. physics of the early Universe, large scale-structures or gravitational waves) and the standard model of particle physics (e.g. QCD and heavy-ion physics). Application deadline: March 20th, 2026.

Applications (including a cover letter, a CV, a research statement and a list of publications) and three reference letters should be sent through Academic Jobs Online.

The position is roughly equivalent to a tenured assistant professorship with no teaching obligations. The IPhT is a Research Institute of CEA and CNRS, and is associated to the Université Paris-Saclay. IPhT is a multidisciplinary institute, with a strong expertise in a wide range of topics in theoretical physics. It is located in the south of Paris, a rich scientific environment. CEA and the broader Paris-Saclay area also count many other institutes working on related physics aspects, both theoretical and experimental.

Please find here full details.

Junior position in theoretical physics at the Institut de Physique Theorique CEA Saclay

The Institut de Physique Theorique (IPhT) invites applications for a junior-level permanent position, opened for researchers working on foundational and theoretical-physics aspects of AI in a broad sense. This includes the study of AI through theoretical physics and statistical physics in particular, as well as AI developments applied to theoretical physics. Application deadline: March 20th, 2026.

The position is roughly equivalent to a tenured assistant professorship with no teaching obligations. The IPhT is a Research Institute of CEA and CNRS, and is associated to the Université Paris-Saclay. IPhT is a multidisciplinary institute, with a strong expertise in a wide range of topics in theoretical physics. It is located in the south of Paris, a rich scientific environment. CEA and the broader Paris-Saclay area also count many other institutes working on related physics aspects, both theoretical and experimental.

Applications (including a cover letter, a CV, a research statement and a list of publications) and three reference letters should be sent through Academic Jobs Online.

Please find here full details.

Faculty Position in Gravitational Waves and Effective Field Theories at the University of São Paulo

The University of Sao Paulo (USP) and the Physics Institute (https://portal.if.usp.br/ifusp/en) are inviting applications for one tenure-track position in the field of Gravitational Waves and Effective Field Theories. USP is the top research institution in Latin America, and the Physics Institute is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment. Candidates are expected to carry out high-level, independent research, as well as mentoring students and teaching at the graduate and/or undergraduate levels. Application deadline: March 16th, 2026.

The Physics Institute has more than one hundred faculty members in most areas of physics research, both theoretical and experimental. The Theory Group (Department of Mathematical Physics) has 13 faculty and includes various areas of theoretical physics, such as Quantum Field Theory, String Theory, Cosmology, Particle Physics, Quantum Information and Mathematical Physics. The group has a historic commitment to excellence in research, with strong ties to institutions around the world, and is actively involved in theoretical and observational activities.

Compensation starts with a salary of R$ 16.353,01 (approximately U$ 3,000), with a teaching load similar to U.S. and European universities and the possibility of fast track to higher compensation depending only on performance and academic excellence. The position comes with a “young professor” start-up grant from the University. Researchers in São Paulo State are also strongly supported by the funding agency FAPESP. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to get more information about these and other benefits.

Potential candidates should feel free to contact Raul Abramo (raulabramo(at)usp.br) and/or Gustavo Burdman (gaburdman(at)usp.br)

Please find here details.

Call for Applications: Director Position at EGO

The position of Director of the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) is open, and applications are now being invited.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director is the legal representative of the EGO Consortium and provides overall strategic, scientific, and administrative leadership of the organization. The Director, in his/her role of Chair of the VirgoLab Executive Board, ensures the effective functioning of the Virgo gravitational-wave detector, leads its scientific and technical strategy, manages its financial and human resources, and represents EGO on behalf of the Consortium and represents VirgoLab.

KEY RESPONSABILITIES

  • Strategic and Scientific Leadership: Define and implement EGO’s long-term vision in alignment with the EGO council; ensure scientific excellence and technical innovation at EGO; promote EGO and Virgo roles in the scientific community; hold the responsibility for the operation, maintenance and development of the Virgo gravitational-wave detector as chair of the VirgoLab Executive Board.
  • Operational and Administrative Management: Legal responsibility for all EGO activities, infrastructures and personnel; oversee daily operations; guarantee safe and reliable functioning of Virgo;
  • Financial and Resource Management: Prepare and execute the annual budget; ensure transparent financial reporting; seek for additional external fundings.
  • External Relations and Representation: Represent EGO to Member institutions and international partners; foster collaborations; promote EGO’s mission at European and global levels.

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate is required to hold a recognized scientific standing in experimental physics, preferably gravitational-wave research and have a solid international scientific and management experience related to research infrastructures, preferably in large scale facilities.  

Candidates should have strategic capabilities and excellent operational leadership abilities, and managerial skills, as well as a strong understanding of financial and administrative management in a research context.

The successful candidate is required to have an outstanding career record of achievements and to have experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and complex projects preferably within an international environment.

Excellent communication and negotiation skills are required as well as knowledge of research funding programs, including EU programs, and a strong track record in fund raising is an asset.

The candidate may indicate the name of a possible deputy director.

Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of Italian language is considered an asset, though not mandatory.

PERSONAL SKILLS

  • Ability to provide visionary leadership and strategic planning.
  • Sound judgment and decision-making under complex conditions.
  • Ability to foster collaboration across scientific, technical, and administrative teams.
  • Commitment to transparency, integrity, and excellence.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

In observance of the “Gender Equality Plan 2024-2026”, EGO is committed to promoting procedures that favor gender-sensitive recruitment, career and appointments, as well as the promotion of women in executive positions. Applications from women will therefore be explicitly encouraged.

Candidates should send their application in English via email, including a cover letter containing a statement of purpose and motivation, a curriculum vitae, and the list of the most relevant academic publications to:   applications(at)ego-gw.eu

Please, note that application documents will be shared with the Members of the Search Committee and the EGO Council members.

Job Opening: 31st January 2026

Deadline for submission: 31st March 2026, 12.00 p.m. CET

Please find here full details.

Tenure Track/Faculty Position in Physics at SISSA

The Physics Area at the "Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati" (SISSA) in Trieste, Italy, invites expressions of interest for a faculty position from outstanding female candidates with a strong research record in any of the fields covered by the Area (Astrophysics and Cosmology, Astroparticle and Gravitational Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Statistical Physics, Statistical Physics of Biological Systems, Theoretical Particle Physics, Theoretical and Scientific Data Science).

The appointment procedure will be activated at the assistant professor, tenure-track, level* or associate professor level. The successful candidate is expected to work as an independent principal investigator, promoting and leading research activities to complement the current expertise of the present SISSA groups, as well as to attract external funds, take an active part in the SISSA PhD teaching programme, and supervise graduate students (selected on a competitive basis and funded by bursaries provided by SISSA).

Expressions of interest should be sent (in English and via Academic Jobs Online only) preferably by June 10, 2026. They should include:

  1. Curriculum Vitae and the names of at least three referees.
  2. 2. Description of current research interests.
  3. 3. List of ten publications of greatest interest for the selection.

The International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) is a leading research and training institution (PhD School) located in Trieste, Italy. The campus is in a green area on the hills close to Trieste and is efficiently connected to the city by public transport. SISSA offers to its community first rate research facilities (e.g. High Performance Computing facilities) and services (canteen and kindergarten services located on site). The Physics Area at SISSA has connections with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) and the National Council for Research (CNR). SISSA is also a founding member of several research Institutes such as IFPU and iGAP. More information on research in Physics at SISSA can be found here: Physics Area.

*In the Italian system, a tenure-track position corresponds to a “ricercatore TT”, i.e. an assistant professor to be confirmed (on the sole basis of her/his results) as a tenured associate professor starting from three years after appointment.

Please find here details.

Faculty Position in Gravitational Waves and Effective Field Theories at the University of São Paulo

The University of Sao Paulo (USP) and the Physics Institute (https://portal.if.usp.br/ifusp/en) are inviting applications for one tenure-track position in the field of Gravitational Waves and Effective Field Theories. USP is the top research institution in Latin America, and the Physics Institute is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment. Candidates are expected to carry out high-level, independent research, as well as mentoring students and teaching at the graduate and/or undergraduate levels. Application deadline: March 16th 2026.

The Physics Institute has more than one hundred faculty members in most areas of physics research, both theoretical and experimental. The Theory Group (Department of Mathematical Physics) has 13 faculty and includes various areas of theoretical physics, such as Quantum Field Theory, String Theory, Cosmology, Particle Physics, Quantum Information and Mathematical Physics. The group has a historic commitment to excellence in research, with strong ties to institutions around the world, and is actively involved in theoretical and observational activities.

Compensation starts with a salary of R$ 16.353,01 (approximately U$ 3,000), with a teaching load similar to U.S. and European universities and the possibility of fast track to higher compensation depending only on performance and academic excellence. The position comes with a “young professor” start-up grant from the University. Researchers in São Paulo State are also strongly supported by the funding agency FAPESP. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to get more information about these and other benefits.

Please find here full details.

Two Assistant Professor positions in Gravitational Wave Research or LHCb in Maastricht

The Gravitational Waves and Fundamental Physics (GWFP) at Maastricht University, member of the Nikhef partnership, has two positions open for Assistant Professor researcher(s). We are looking for two talented and enthusiastic assistant professors to complement or strengthen our physics activities in the Gravitational Wave and Fundamental Physics (GWFP) group at Maastricht University. Our research activities are embedded in the Dutch Nikhef collaboration and include Gravitational Wave and Particle Physics research. Application Deadline: October 27th, 2024.

Activities in Gravitational Waves research include research on technologies for current and future gravitational-wave detectors such as Virgo and the Einstein Telescope, with a particular focus on optical instrumentation, advanced interferometry beyond the quantum-noise limit, and material research for optics and optical coatings.

Activities in Particle Physics include flavour physics phenomenology in close collaboration with the LHCb experiment, LHCb physics data analysis on CP violation and rare decays, and algorithm development for data reconstruction in a heterogeneous computing model.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply and to develop their research plans in the context of either gravitational wave research or LHCb research or a combination of these activities’

The positions are 1.0 FTE positions located in the GWFP Department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Duboisdomein 30, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Requirements

  • You have a PhD degree in physics or a related field
  • You have excellent communication skills in the English language
  • You are collegial and actively searching to collaborate with others
  • You have extensive experience in research relevant for gravitational wave instrumentation / data analysis or particle physics data analysis / phenomenology, proven by your track record as an early career researcher
  • You are eager to develop your own research program that is integrated and aligned with the aspirations of the department and the Nikhef partnership
  • You have evidence or high potential for grant acquisition and are keen to seek and join grant opportunities and collaborations for our group
  • You are an enthusiastic teacher in an academic context, and are willing to participate in and shape the teaching activities of our department
  • You have demonstrated experience in supervising Master and/or PhD theses

What we offer
As Assistant Professor at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

  • Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11 – 12 according to UFO profile Assistant Professor, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4492,00 and €6986,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
  • An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon proven suitability, the employment contract will be converted to an indefinite contract.
  • At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
  • As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
  • Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as ‘acknowledge and appreciate’.

Please find here full details.

Two Assistant Professor positions in Gravitational Wave Research or LHCb at University of Maastricht

The Gravitational Waves and Fundamental Physics (GWFP) at Maastricht University, member of the Nikhef partnership, has two positions open for Assistant Professor researcher(s). We are looking for two talented and enthusiastic assistant professors to complement or strengthen our physics activities in the Gravitational Wave and Fundamental Physics (GWFP) group at Maastricht University. Our research activities are embedded in the Dutch Nikhef collaboration and include Gravitational Wave and Particle Physics research. Application deadline: October 27th, 2024.

Activities in Gravitational Waves research include research on technologies for current and future gravitational-wave detectors such as Virgo and the Einstein Telescope, with a particular focus on optical instrumentation, advanced interferometry beyond the quantum-noise limit, and material research for optics and optical coatings.

Activities in Particle Physics include flavour physics phenomenology in close collaboration with the LHCb experiment, LHCb physics data analysis on CP violation and rare decays, and algorithm development for data reconstruction in a heterogeneous computing model.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply and to develop their research plans in the context of one or a combination of these activities.

The positions are 1.0 FTE positions located in the GWFP Department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Duboisdomein 30, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Requirements

  • You have a PhD degree in physics or a related field
  • You have excellent communication skills in the English language
  • You are collegial and actively searching to collaborate with others
  • You have extensive experience in research relevant for gravitational wave instrumentation / data analysis or particle physics data analysis / phenomenology, proven by your track record as an early career researcher
  • You are eager to develop your own research program that is integrated and aligned with the aspirations of the department and the Nikhef partnership
  • You have evidence or high potential for grant acquisition and are keen to seek and join grant opportunities and collaborations for our group
  • You are an enthusiastic teacher in an academic context, and are willing to participate in and shape the teaching activities of our department
  • You have demonstrated experience in supervising Master and/or PhD theses

What we offer
As Assistant Professor at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11 – 12 according to UFO profile Assistant Professor, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4492,00 and €6986,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.

An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon proven suitability, the employment contract will be converted to an indefinite contract.

At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.

As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.

Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as ‘acknowledge and appreciate’.

Please find here full details.