PhD Student Position in Theoretical Physics - Beyond the Standard Model physics

Physics World; España; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading research institution in Spain is seeking a PhD student in Physics for a full-time predoctoral contract. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree and proficiency in English, with a proactive attitude. The role involves collaborative research leading to a PhD within four years, focusing on topics in cosmology and particle physics. Interesting opportunities for personal growth and travel to scientific infrastructures will be provided.

Servicios

Travel opportunities

Personal growth and learning

Work with interesting experimental science

Formación

• Master’s in Physics or related field required.
• Proficiency in English is essential.
• Pro-active attitude and good communication skills are needed.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct independent and collaborative research in relevant topics.
• Lead to a PhD within four years.
• Engage with experimental science and travel to scientific infrastructures.

Conocimientos

Proficiency in English

Pro-active attitude

Good communication skills

Educación

Master’s in Physics

Enrolled in Physics PhD program

Descripción del empleo

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). IFAE carries out research and contributes to the development of high energy physics from theoretical, experimental and technological perspectives. IFAE is a University Institute attached to UAB, with premises on the UAB campus.

IFAE is an internationally recognized center for fundamental research in Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics, and Cosmology. IFAE offers an international, dynamic, and competitive environment for the training of young researchers. IFAE has been accredited three times with the “Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence” distinction, most recently for the 2025-2029 period.

About Theoretical Physics Group

The Theory Group at IFAE is a vibrant international group with active senior members working on BSM and Cosmology: D. Blas, E. Masso, A Pomarol, O. Pujolas, M. Quiros, F. Rompineve, E. Salvioni and A. Wulzer. The group collaborates with experimental colleagues at IFAE working on colliders, cosmology, gravitational waves, astroparticles and quantum technologies.

For more information about the group, see https://www.ifae.es/. See also https://www.ifae.es/ for information about these groups.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

The successful candidate is expected to have:

• Master’s in Physics or satisfy the requirements to be admitted in the Physics PhD program of the UAB; before the start of the grant (expected fall 2026). See https://www.uab.cat/en/phds/physics
• Proficiency in the English language;
• Pro-active attitude and good communication skills.

The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications are as follows:

• CV and previous achievements, 40;
• Suitability of the candidate to the research activities, 45;
• Letters of recommendation, 10;
• Interview, 5.

What will be your role?

The candidates should have a University degree in Physics or related topics and a Master degree. Being enrolled in a master program in one of the strategic lines of the members of the Beyond the Standard Model and Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology groups is desirable. These include physics beyond the Standard Model, formal aspects of quantum field theories, gravitation, gravitational waves, quantum sensing of fundamental backgrounds, cosmology and astroparticle physics. Candidates are expected to carry independent and collaborative research in these topics leading to a PhD in 4 years.

Offered contract:

• Full-time contract (40 hours/week).
• Predoctoral Contract 4-year
• The position will correspond to “Predoctoral Researcher (R1)” within the professional categories of the IFAE.
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Travelling to scientific infrastructures. Opportunity to gain experience, learn first-hand. Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day.
• The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible.

Application and Selection process:

Applications should be submitted to [e-mail] and [e-mail] stating the job reference (IFAE2025/28_THBSM_SO_PhDStudent) as the subject of the message. The e-mail should include: 1) a motivation letter, 2) updated CV, 3) a full list of university grades (Master and Bachelor). Additionally candidates should arrange to have two letters of reference sent to the above e-mail addresses.

Sending CVs to the above addresses implies consent to the IFAE’s data privacy policy. The application must contain a personal identification number (DNI, NIE or passport) in order to proceed to the verification of absence of conflict of interest required by the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism of the Spanish Government.

IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply.

A Selection Committee will evaluate the received applications. If more than one candidate seems equally suitable for the position, the Selection Committee will arrange an online interview with each candidate as part of the Selection process.

In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration will have priority in the awarding of the position.

You may contact Prof. Alex Pomarol ([e-mail]) or Prof. Oriol Pujolàs ([e-mail]) for questions related to this job opening.

Funding Statement

Esta plaza está financiada en el marco de la acreditación Severo Ochoa de IFAE CEX2024-001441-S (2025-2028), concedida por el MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.