3-year Adv/Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Particle Physics

Physics World; Polska; On-site; PLN 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research institution in Poland seeks an Adv/Senior Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate neutrino-nucleus interactions for CERN’s SNAIL project. The role requires a PhD in theoretical particle physics and postdoctoral experience with a strong command of English. Starting salary is competitive in Krakow, along with generous family benefits. Candidates with LHC-related experience and programming skills are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by January 25, 2026.

Benefits

Generous social allowances/benefits for families

Qualifications

• PhD awarded in or after January 2019.
• 1+ years of postdoctoral experience in theoretical particle physics.
• Strong command of the English language.

Responsibilities

• Conduct theoretical investigations into neutrino-nucleus scattering.
• Participate and co-organise local group activities.

Skills

Theoretical particle physics

English language proficiency

Postdoctoral experience

Education

PhD in theoretical particle physics or related area

Tools

Linux

Python

ROOT

C++

FORTRAN

Job description

Job Title: Adv/Senior Postdoctoral Researcher

The group of Richard Ruiz at the Institute of Nuclear Physics - Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) in Krakow, Poland anticipates the immediate availability of one (1) three-year advanced/senior postdoctoral appointment ("adjunct" in Polish). Pending approvals, the successful candidate may start as early as Winter/Spring 2026 but no later than Fall 2026. A Winter/Spring start date is preferred.

The successful candidate will be expected to carry out theoretical and phenomenological investigations into neutrino‑nucleus deep‑inelastic scattering for activities at CERN's Forward Physics Facility as part of the "Scattering Neutrinos on Atoms at the LHC" (SNAIL) project in the Department of Theoretical Particle Physics (NZ42). Depending on individual talents and interests, projects may involve Standard Model physics and/or physics Beyond the Standard Model, as well as contributing to the development of the MadGraph5aMC@NLO event generator. The candidate will also be expected to participate and co‑organise local group activities, e.g., seminars and workshops. Candidates with experience carrying out LHC‑style phenomenological analyses at the parton‑shower level are particularly encouraged to apply. The appointment carries no teaching duties.

Salary:

The successful candidate will receive a gross salary of 140k PLN/year (about 33k EUR/year) for three years. This is a competitive salary given Krakow’s lower cost of living. In addition, social allowances/benefits for families with young children are particularly generous by European standards.

Position Requirements

• PhD in theoretical particle physics or related area, awarded in or after January 2019
• 1 or more years of postdoctoral experience in theoretical particle physics or related area
• A strong command of the English language (all research discussions will be conducted in English)
• Willingness to participate and co‑organise group activities, e.g., seminars and workshops

Experience considered an additional benefit (but not required)

• Experience related to LHC physics, neutrino physics, precision QCD or one‑loop computations
• Experience with fast numerical techniques (Monte Carlo methods)
• Experience with computer programming (Linux/Python/ROOT/C++/FORTRAN)

Application Procedure

Candidates should send their "expressions of interest" by Sunday, 25 January 2026 directly to [e-mail] with the subject line "SNAIL postdoc 2026 (LAST_NAME)."

The successful candidate will be asked to resubmit their packet to the IFJ application portal at a later date.

Applications must include:

• Cover letter (1‑2 pages)
• Research statement (2‑3 pages)
• A full academic CV

Reference Letters

Please arrange for 2‑3 letters of recommendation with the note/subject line "SNAIL postdoc 2026 ref letter (CANDIDATE_LAST_NAME)." to be sent by e‑mail to [e-mail]. Review of materials will start Monday, 26 January 2026 and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Recruitment deadlines will adhere to the updated HEP theory postdoc accord https://het-postdoc-accord.github.io/accord/. For any questions, please feel free to reach out to Prof. Richard Ruiz.