Postdoctoral Researcher position in Theory Group at IFAE

IFAE; Cerdanyola del Vallés; On-site; EUR 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

IFAE invites applications for postdoctoral research positions in the Theoretical Physics Group, focused on GravNet, to search for high-frequency gravitational waves. Appointments will begin Fall 2027 and run for three years, funded by ERC Synergy GravNet grant.

Candidates will develop theory, simulations of detector response, and network configurations, exploring quantum sensing approaches and producing precise sensitivity forecasts within the GravNet-IFAE collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics or related topics by contract start.
• Experience with gravitational waves or beyond-Standard-Model physics in theoretical work.

Responsibilities

• Develop theoretical models for GravNet project and searches of high-frequency gravitational waves.
• Perform simulations of detector response and sensitivity calculations.
• Collaborate with GravNet-IFAE team to optimize theoretical aspects and network configurations.

Skills

Theoretical Physics research

Education

PhD in Physics

Job description

Open Position Postdoctoral Researcher position in Theory Group at IFAE

Opening Date: October 26, 2026

Closing Date: Until Filled

Ref: IFAE2026/46_THEORY_2Postdoc

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, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.

About Theoretical Physics Group And The GravNet Project

The theory group of IFAE (Barcelona, Spain) invites applications for one to two postdoctoral research positions in theoretical developments for searches of high frequency gravitational waves in cavities. The positions will start in Fall 2027 and will have a duration of three years.

These positions will be funded by the ERC Synergy Grant project GravNet (A Global Network for the Search for High Frequency Gravitational Waves). GravNet is dedicated to optimize the searches of high‑frequency gravitational waves in a network of electromagnetic cavities, or other set‑ups to be conceived during the project. All aspects, from source characterization, response of detectors, network distribution to sensing strategies (in particular leveraging quantum sensing) will be revised, with the goal of building the most precise detector to high frequency gravitational waves in the near future.

GravNet is led by PIs Diego Blas (IFAE/ICREA, Barcelona), Dima Budker (U. Mainz), Claudio Gatti (LNF, Italy) and Matthias Schott (U. Bonn, Germany; leading PI). The successful candidates will join the GravNet‑IFAE group, in charge of developing and optimizing all theoretical aspects of the proposal. This includes the complete modeling and simulation of the response of the detectors to gravitational waves of different sources, generating realistic sensitivity calculations and exploring different network configurations. These results will be used to design the best strategy for GravNet to detect high frequency gravitational waves.

Job profile and tasks

The candidates should have research expertise in Theoretical Physics, and experience on theoretical work dealing with searches of BSM physics or gravitational waves physics in laboratory set‑ups (in particular with quantum sensing techniques) is particularly welcome.

Evaluation criteria

The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications will be the following:
Evaluation criteria Points CV and previous achievements 20
Letters of recommendation 30
Adequacy to the research direction and publications 30
Interview 20

Offered contract

• Full‑time Contract (40 h/week)
• Temporal Contract Acceso de personal investigador doctor al sistema español de ciencia, tecnología e innovación.
• Duration: 3 years
• The position will correspond to a Postdoctoral position.
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range or the one established in the grant conditions.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Opportunity to gain first‑hand learning experience. Personal growth, innovation and learning every day.
• The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible from September 2027.

Application and Selection process

Applications should have a PhD in Physics or related topics by the start of the contract and be submitted to be uploaded in to ACADEMIC JOBS an up‑to‑date CV, a statement of research interests, a publication list (all in PDF format) and at least 3 recommendation letters

ACADEMIC JOBS LINK

For Further Information Please Contact

Diego Blas ([e-mail] ).

www.ifae.es 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 that are 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. In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre‑existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.

Funding Statement