Postdoctoral Research Associate in Theoretical Physics

Queen Mary University of London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

30 days leave

Season ticket loan

Development opportunities

Flexible working

Campus facilities

Inclusive policies

Job summary

Queen Mary University of London invites applications for a 2-year fixed-term Postdoctoral Research Associate in Theoretical Physics. The role is based in the Centre for Geometry Analysis and Gravitation (GAnG) and the Centre for Theoretical Physics and Astronomy (CTPA), with equal interaction across both schools.

Applicants should hold a PhD in physics or mathematics and show strong analytical skills, independence, and ability to work well in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics or mathematics.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work independently.
• Experience in theoretical physics research.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the GAnG and CTPA teams on project tasks.
• Contribute to meetings, seminars and manuscript preparation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team player

Independent researcher

Education

PhD in physics or mathematics

Job description

About the Role

The Centre for Geometry Analysis and Gravitation (GAnG) in the School of Mathematical Science and the Centre for Theoretical Physics and Astronomy (CTPA) in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences invite applications for a 2-year fixed-term Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Theoretical Physics.

Applicants should have a strong research record within theoretical physics and demonstrate potential to contribute to the schools’ research project “Symmetries and Quantum Fields: Dualities, Algebras and Learning” funded by the STFC Consolidated Grant 2025 “Amplitudes, Strings and Duality”. We are seeking an outstanding theorist working in one or more of these areas: quantum field theory broadly defined, generalized symmetries, black hole physics, holography and AdS/CFT, field theory in de Sitter space, quantum information, and matrix models.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Matt Buican and Prof Rodolfo Russo during the project.

About You

The successful candidates will hold (or be about to receive) a PhD in physics or mathematics and have expertise in the research areas mentioned above. They will be required to have strong analytical skills, to be an effective team player and to be able to work independently.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

The two Centres have an exceptionally strong research presence across the spectrum of theoretical and mathematical physics. The two schools are part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, which comprises five schools and two institutes.

This joint position is based in the GAnG, but is equally shared with CTPA, so the successful candidate is expected to interact in equal measure with academics in both Centres and participate actively in the activities of both Schools.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

£39,187 to £52,790 per annum.