Tag: PhD position

The Center of Gravity at the Niels Bohr Institute invites expressions of interest for PhD Fellowships in Gravitational Physics for a fixed period of three years. The preferred starting date is April-September 2027. Interested individuals are encouraged to upload all material before December 1, 2026, by submitting a 2-page CV, transcripts, and a one-page letter of motivation. In addition, we are requesting (at least) two letters of recommendation. The search will remain open until completed.

We seek international outstanding individuals eager to join Center of Gravity, a center bringing together cutting-edge research on formal and phenomenological aspects of black holes and gravitational waves, as well as related fundamental research areas.

This call is seeking specifically outstanding candidates for an ambitious research program on quantum aspects of black holes and spacetime via string theory and holography. The research program is an integral part of the Center of Gravity, a new DNRF Center of Excellence initiative which is composed of the young and vibrant team consisting of Vitor Cardoso, Emil Bjerrum-Bohr, Jose Ezquiaga, Troels Harmark, Niels Obers, Marta Orselli, Alessia Platania, Johan Samsing, Maarten van de Meent, Ziqi Yan, focused on addressing the physics of black holes, quantum aspects of spacetime via string theory and holography, the problem of motion in General Relativity using advanced quantum field scattering and gravitational self-force techniques, and gravitational-wave physics. An ample travel budget for the Center is available.

Brief interviews will be conducted with team members after an initial shortlist is formed. This search is part of a vigorous expansion at the Niels Bohr Institute into the field of Gravitational Physics, bringing together scientists from various areas of theoretical physics and astrophysics to address some of the most pressing questions related to gravity. The Center of Gravity is hosted by the Niels Bohr Institute. It functions as a primary center for fundamental research, including gravitational physics, theoretical and computational astrophysics, cosmology, and high-energy physics. The Center hosts several international programs, including visitor programs, workshops, and Ph.D. schools. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes all qualified individuals regardless of personal background.

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The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Astronomy & Astrophysics is a joint structured Ph.D. program of the Max Planck Institute for Radioastronomy (MPIfR, Bonn) and the Universities of Bonn and Cologne. At one of the most vibrant astronomy centers in Europe, several PhD positions are available for talented students nearing the end of their Master's degree (or equivalent) in physics or astrophysics. The teaching language is English. The application deadline is October 30th, 2026.

Program Details:

Appointments are for 3 years, starting at any time in 2027.

Starting annual gross salary: ~40617 Euro; with attractive benefits.

The IMPRS for A&A has 70+ Ph.D. students from 20+ countries.

Supervision by world-leading experts at the MPIfR and the Universities of Bonn and Cologne.

Research on a wide range of cutting-edge topics in observational and theoretical astrophysics.

Access to world-class observing facilities at a wide range of wavelengths. Career development workshops, advanced lecture courses, soft skill seminars. Funding for travel and research.

Remuneration is based on the German collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund or TVL), level 13, 65%, which includes comprehensive health care and other social benefits such as contributions to a pension fund, accident insurance, sick leave and 30 days of vacation per year. In addition, our school has special agreements with daycare providers and counselors, and offers German classes.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing diversity in its workforce and encourages applications from individuals with disabilities. The society also seeks to increase female representation in underrepresented areas and strongly encourages women to apply.

For more information visit: https://www.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/en/imprs

Link to Online Application: https://imprs.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de

Publication Start Date: 2026 Sep 15

Application Deadline: 2026 Oct 30

Inquiries: IMPRS A&A Office, Email: imprs(at)mpifr-bonn.mpg.de

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The Instituto de Física Teórica (IFT, Madrid, Spain) invites applications for a PhD position (predoctoral contract) in gravitational-wave data analysis, funded through the FPI-UAM 2026 program. Please note that the application period is short, with a deadline of September 27th, 2026. The position is funded until the successful completion of the PhD, for a maximum duration of four years.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Physics. The degree must be obtained before the start date of the contract, in accordance with Spanish regulations governing predoctoral positions.

The project aims to develop and apply novel data-analysis techniques to search for new physics using gravitational-wave observations. The successful candidate will contribute to gravitational-wave science within the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) Collaboration and help prepare for future observations with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). The project combines advanced computational methods, statistics, gravitational-wave astronomy, cosmology, and potentially machine-learning techniques.

The research will be carried out within the Cosmology Group at the Instituto de Física Teórica (IFT) (https://projects.ift.uam-csic.es/cosmo/). The group includes researchers with broad expertise in gravitational-wave science and cosmology, including Juan García-Bellido, Sachiko Kuroyanagi, Savvas Nesseris, Matteo Fasiello, Yashar Akrami, and Miguel Zumalacárregui. Potential scientific targets include primordial black holes (PBHs) formed in the early Universe, as well as other signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model and the standard cosmological paradigm.

The successful candidate will join the Cosmology Group at IFT and work primarily with Juan García-Bellido and Sachiko Kuroyanagi (co-supervisor), while benefiting from collaborations with other members of the group. The project offers an opportunity to develop novel data-analysis techniques and apply them to real and simulated data from current and future gravitational-wave observatories through participation in the LVK Collaboration and/or the LISA Consortium.

To apply, please submit

• Academic transcripts (grades from both the BSc (grado) and Master’s degree).
  [Note that a threshold of 7.5/10 (for grado) is required for the application.]
• A CV, including a short summary of previous research activities and future research interests
• A list of publications
• Two recommendation letters to be sent by referees (please provide their names)

Applications should be sent by email to juan.garciabellido(at)gmail.com with the subject line:
[Application FPI-UAM] FIRSTNAME SURNAME

All application materials must be submitted by September 7th, 2026 (Monday).
For questions regarding the position, please contact juan.garciabellido(at)gmail.com

IFT is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women and members of underrepresented groups are encouraged.

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The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) on Astrophysics at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich invites applications for its international PhD program.

Located in the vibrant Munich–Garching science campus in southern Germany, the IMPRS offers a unique research environment through the close collaboration of four world-renowned institutions: MPI for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), University Observatory Munich, LMU (USM, MPI for Astrophysics (MPA), European Southern Observatory (ESO).

The IMPRS provides a highly competitive doctoral program that combines advanced lecture courses, seminars, and an independent research project leading to a PhD degree under the supervision of leading scientists at one of the participating institutions. The language of instruction is English.

The students have access to some of the world’s most powerful ground- and space-based observatories, state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, and high-performance computing facilities for advanced numerical simulations and theoretical research. Applications are welcome from outstanding students of all nationalities. Application deadline: November 1st 2026.

Successful applicants receive either a fully funded employment contract or a fellowship providing financial support sufficient to cover living expenses in Munich. We also offer comprehensive assistance with visa procedures, relocation, accommodation, and all administrative matters to ensure a smooth start.

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This vacancy is for a four-year PhD position focusing on the development of the optical readout of the CHiPS sensor. Your research will centre on a homodyne quadrature interferometric readout, with the aim of combining high sensitivity with the robustness and stability required for continuous operation. You will investigate and develop the interferometric sensing architecture through modelling, experimental development and characterisation. The readout will be designed to operate in both open-loop mode, using fringe counting, and closed-loop mode. Developing the closed-loop system will involve close collaboration with the control-design PhD researcher at TU Delft, while achieving a robust and compact sensor will require close interaction with the optomechanics PhD researcher. The deadline for applications is Sunday 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

The position

Many state-of-the-art sensors demonstrate exceptional performance in the laboratory, but achieving that performance can require careful manual optimisation, frequent recalibration or precise realignment. Such an approach is not sufficient for applications that require sensors to operate continuously and autonomously in demanding environments.

The CHiPS (Compact High-Precision Sensors) project aims to address this challenge by combining advanced sensing and control techniques into compact, robust and extremely high-performance inertial sensors. The goal is to move beyond laboratory demonstrations and develop sensors that can operate reliably for extended periods without manual intervention. The resulting technology will target applications ranging from semiconductor manufacturing to next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.

The CHiPS project is being carried out by a team of three PhD researchers: one based in the gravitational-wave research group at Nikhef (this vacancy) and two based in the Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) department at Delft University of Technology. The three PhD projects address complementary aspects of the sensor:

• optical readout and interferometric sensing at Nikhef;
• optomechanical design at TU Delft; and
• sensing, control and feedback at TU Delft.

The project is funded through the Dutch National Growth Fund NXTGEN programme of NWO and is carried out in collaboration with industrial and academic partners, including ASML.

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 We are offering two fully funded PhD positions at the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in the field of gravitational-wave astronomy. There are two positions available:

PROJECT A (PI Dr. Ornella Juliana Piccinni): One project will focus on the development of novel data analysis methods for the search and characterization of continuous gravitational waves and dark matter candidates, with applications to current and future detectors.
PROJECT B (PI Dr. Cecilio Garcia-Quiros): The second project will focus on the modelling of gravitational-wave signals from compact binary systems and on the development of data analysis methods for the parameter estimation of these systems using current and next-generation gravitational-wave observatories.

The successful candidate will join the GRAVITY research group at the IAC3, an internationally recognised team with a leading role in gravitational-wave science. The group is a major contributor to the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA (LVK) Collaboration as well as the next generation of gravitational-wave observatories LISA and Einstein Telescope. As part of the GRAVITY group, the successful candidate will work within a vibrant international research environment, collaborating with scientists from leading institutions worldwide and contributing to cutting-edge research. For more information about the institute see https://iac3.uib.es/

For more information about the positions, eligibility requirements, and the application procedure please send a CV and a short statement of interest to ornella.piccinni(at)uib.es for PROJECT A and cecilio.garcia(at)uib.es for PROJECT B before 27 July.

The deadline for submitting the formal application and all required supporting documents through the University application is 18 September 2026. The successful candidates are expected to start their contracts on 1 November 2026.

Please feel free to forward this announcement to candidates who may be interested.

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Physics or a closely related field. Candidates who have not yet completed their master’s degree are also encouraged to apply, provided that they obtain their master’s degree before the start of the contract on 1 November 2026. By the contract start date, all successful candidates must have completed both degrees and accumulated at least 300 ECTS credits.

The Theory Division at the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ), Warsaw, invites applications for a PhD student position in gravity and cosmology.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with experience in scientific computing (Python, C++, and/or Mathematica), a strong background in quantum mechanics, and prior training in general relativity and cosmology through graduate-level coursework or equivalent research experience. Familiarity with quantum gravity will be considered an advantage.

The successful candidate will work on quantum cosmology, contributing to the development of an extension of the standard cosmological framework based on the multiverse-state formalism. The project combines analytical and numerical approaches. The PhD student will be responsible for developing numerical implementations of the formalism, designing and testing computational algorithms, performing numerical simulations, deriving analytical approximations, and investigating potential observational signatures. The student will also contribute to perturbative calculations and the interpretation of the obtained results.

The position is funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, under grant DEC-2025/59/B/ST2/00497. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the NCBJ Doctoral School. Funding includes a doctoral scholarship for up to four years and resources necessary to conduct the research project, including support for conference travel.

The expected starting date is 1 October 2026 (or shortly thereafter).

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2026.

Applications should be submitted through the NCBJ Doctoral School admission process:
https://gradschool.ncbj.gov.pl/admission-requirements/

Applicants should submit:

• a curriculum vitae,
• academic transcripts,
• a statement of research interests describing their motivation and relevant background,
• a completed application form.

Application materials should be sent to grad@ncbj.gov.pl.

For further information, please visit the NCBJ Doctoral School website (https://gradschool.ncbj.gov.pl).

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