Philippe Meyer Junior Research Chairs in Fundamental Physics

Ecole Normale Supérieure; Paris; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Physics Laboratory of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (LPENS) invites applications for up to three Junior Research Chairs in theoretical fundamental physics at the postdoctoral level. The initial appointment is two years, usually extended for a third, with competitive salary depending on experience and qualifications.

Candidates should have expertise across field theory, string theory, particle physics, cosmology, and broader theoretical physics areas.

Qualifications

• PhD in theoretical physics or an equivalent doctorate.
• Strong background in theoretical methods and scientific inference.
• Experience in academic research and collaboration an asset.

Skills

Theoretical physics

Condensed matter theory

Field theory

Quantum many-body theory

Education

PhD in theoretical physics

Job description

Position Description

The Physics Laboratory of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS-PSL Paris) invites applications for up to three Junior Research Chairs in theoretical fundamental physics, at the postdoctoral level, funded by the Philippe Meyer Institute for Physics.

The Philippe Meyer Institute for Physics aims at outstanding candidates with international experience. The initial appointment will be for two years usually extended for a third year. Salary is competitive, according to experience and qualification.

The successful candidates will carry out their research within the Physics Laboratory of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (LPENS). For more information about the research in the LPENS, please consult the website https://www.lpens.ens.psl.eu/institut-philippe-meyer/.

Candidates in theoretical physics with expertise and projects in the following domains are encouraged to apply: field and string theory, theoretical particle and astro-particle physics, theoretical astrophysics and cosmology, statistical physics and its applications in theoretical condensed matter physics, biophysics and information theory, as well as all theoretical research areas present within the LPENS. In particular, the laboratory would like to recruit one candidate whose research themes focus on condensed matter theory, light-control of quantum materials and quantum many-body theory of light-matter interactions.

This year, we will not consider applications of experimentalists.

Short-listed candidates may be invited for interviews (videoconferences) in December 2026.

Positions will normally start in October 2027, but this is slightly negotiable.

Closing date : November 8, 2026