Post-Doctoral Researcher Position in Astroparticle Theory

1000scholars; Annecy; On-site; EUR 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Laboratoire d’Annecy de Physique Théorique (LAPTh) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in axion phenomenology. The successful candidate will explore axions in dense astrophysical environments at the intersection of theoretical physics and astro-particle phenomenology.

The appointment is two years (potentially extendable to a third) with CNRS salary scale, starting 1st October 2027. Collaboration within the Simons Working Group on Axions and opportunities for long‑term visits are

Qualifications

• PhD in astrophysics, cosmology, or a related field completed by the start date.
• Working knowledge of dark matter and beyond‑standard‑model physics.
• Experience with astroparticle data analysis is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Phenomenology of axions and axion‑like particles in dense astrophysical environments.
• Characterize astrophysical signatures of axion production in dense media.
• Emphasis on gamma‑ray signatures, gravitational waves, and multi‑messenger observables.

Job description

Position Description

Job description

The Laboratoire d’Annecy de Physique Théorique (LAPTh) invites applications for one postdoctoral position in axion phenomenology.

The position is funded within the Simons Working Group on Axions (https://www.simonsfoundation.org/mathematics-physical-sciences/targeted-simons-research-groups/), and researchers are expected to work at the intersection of theoretical particle physics, theoretical nuclear astrophysics, and astro-particle physics. We plan to hire up to one postdoctoral researcher per institution (UC Berkeley (Ben Safdi), Princeton University (Adam Burrows), University of Washington (Masha Baryakhtar), LAPTh/CNRS (Francesca Calore), and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Tobias Fischer)), with positions beginning in Fall 2027.

The LAPTh postdoctoral position will be focused on the phenomenology of axions and axion‑like particles in dense astrophysical environments, including supernovae, neutron stars, and neutron star mergers. The successful candidate will work on characterizing the astrophysical signatures of axion production in dense media, with a particular emphasis on gamma‑ray signatures, gravitational waves, and multi‑messenger observables.

The Simons Working Group on Axions is a multi‑institutional collaboration supported by the Simons Foundation that aims to develop and implement novel astrophysical probes of the quantum chromodynamics axion and axion‑like particles. Areas and methods of particular emphasis are supernovae simulations, black hole superradiance, cosmological axion simulations, and more broadly theoretical calculations of axion effects in extreme astrophysical and cosmological systems, though researchers will be given broad discretion to work on related projects with Working Group members and researchers at the Working Group institutions.

Qualifications

A PhD in astrophysics, cosmology, or a related field completed by the start date; working knowledge of dark matter and beyond‑standard‑model physics. Experience with astroparticle data analysis is welcome.

Supervision and environment

The position will be supervised by Dr. Francesca Calore, within the Astroparticle and Cosmology group at LAPTh (astrocosmolapth.com). A PhD student and several Master’s students will also be recruited on the project, offering co‑supervision opportunities. Within the Simons Working Group on Axions, collaborations and long‑term visits to other partner institutes are foreseen. The position provides access to CNRS/LAPTh computing resources and generous travel support; the group also benefits from its proximity to the University of Geneva and CERN.

Terms

The position is a two-year appointment, possibly extensible to a third year. Salary on the CNRS scale, commensurate with experience, including social security and health coverage. The expected start date is 1st October 2027 with some flexibility.

Contact

Contact: Dr. Francesca Calore ([e-mail])