Two PhD Student positions in Theoretical Particle Physics Group at IFAE

IFAE; Bellaterra; On-site; EUR 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

IFAE in Barcelona, Spain, invites applications for two PhD positions in the GravNet theoretical group. The positions start Spring 2027 for four years and are funded by the ERC Synergy GravNet grant.

Applications should be submitted by January 14, 2027 for full consideration; positions remain open until filled. The successful candidates will join the GravNet-IFAE group to develop theoretical aspects of the project.

Qualifications

• Master Degree in Physics or related topics.
• Must satisfy requirements to be admitted in Physics PhD program at the start of the position.

Responsibilities

• Develop theoretical aspects of GravNet project and related searches for high frequency gravitational waves.
• Model and simulate detector response to gravitational waves and different sources.
• Generate realistic sensitivity calculations and explore network configurations.
• Collaborate with GravNet-IFAE group and other project partners to advance proposal outcomes.

Education

Master in Physics

Job description

Open Position Two PhD Student positions in Theoretical Particle Physics Group at IFAE

Opening Date: October 26, 2026
Closing Date: Until Filled

Ref:IFAE2026/45_THEORIC_2 PhD Student

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 PhD positions in theoretical developments for searches of high frequency gravitational waves in cavities and other laboratory devices. The positions will start from Spring 2027 to Fall 2027 and will have a duration of four years (flexible starting date).

These positions will be funded by the ERC Synergy Grant project GravNet (A Global Network for the Search for High Frequency Gravitational Waves), https://gravnet.web.cern.ch/ . 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. Other detection strategies will also be explored.

To receive full consideration, the applications must be sent before January 14th, 2027, but the positions will be open until filled.

The successful candidate will be part of the the Beyond the Standard Model and Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology groups of IFAE ( https://www.ifae.es/groups/theory/ ). The permanent or tenure-track members of the group are D. Blas, E. Massò, A. Pomarol, O. Pujolas, F. Rompineve, E. Salvioni, M. Quirós and A. Wulzer.

Job profile and tasks

Candidates should have a Master Degree in Physics or related topics, equivalent degree, and, in any case, satisfy the requirements to be admitted in the Physics PhD program of the UAB ( https://www.uab.cat/en/phds/physics ) by the start of the position. In the application they must provide a CV, including full list of University Grades, and two Reference Letters, all to be sent through the portal

The selection will be based on the academic and scientific record of the candidate, the recommendation letters, the potential of the candidate to integrate well in the group, adequacy to the project and an interview for the short-listed candidates.

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 20

Interview 30

Offered contract

• Predoctoral Contract (4 years).
• The position will correspond to “Predoctoral Researcher (R1)" within the professional categories of the IFAE.
• Full-time contract (40h/week).
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range, and the conditions of the ERC Synergy Grant project GravNet.
• The selected candidates are expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible, no later than fall 2027.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Opportunity to gain first‑hand learning experience. Personal growth, innovation and learning every day.

Application and Selection process

Applications should be submitted through the portal

You may contact Dr Diego Blas ( [e-mail] ) for any questions related to this job opening.

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 Recovery and Resilience Mechanism of the Spanish Government.

IFAE is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion. With the aim of promoting a real gender balance in the institution, women will be especially encouraged to submit their candidacy in the calls. Likewise, IFAE reaffirms its commitment to the integration of people with disabilities and underrepresented groups in the scientific field and in accordance with article 59 of the EBEP to reserve seven percent of places so that at least two percent of the total staff are people with disabilities.

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 on-line interview with each one of them 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 (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.