Open Position Two PhD Positions in Theoretical Physics

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

The theory group of IFAE (Barcelona, Spain) invites expressions of interest for two PhD positions in theoretical developments for searches of high frequency gravitational waves in cavities and other laboratory devices. The positions can start as early as March 2025, with flexible starting date until Fall 2025, and will have a duration of four years.

These positions will be funded by the ERC-2024-SyG GravNet 101167211 (GravNet: A Global Network for the Search for High Frequency Gravitational Waves). GravNet will be 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.

Candidates should have a Master Degree in Physics or related topics, or 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 grant (expected early 2025). 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: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29164

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 and adequacy to the project.

To receive full consideration, the applications must be sent before December 31st, 2024.

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 (from 01/2024) are D. Blas, E. Massò, C. Murgui, A. Pomarol, O. Pujolàs, F. Rompineve, M. Quirós and A. Wulzer.

The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications will be the following:

• CV and previous achievements: 45 points
• Letters of recommendation: 5 points
• Adequacy to the research direction: 50 points
• Interview: 10

Offered contract

• Full-time Contract (40 h/week)
• Temporal Contract; 4 years
• The position will correspond to a PHD student.
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Opportunity to gain first-hand learning experience. Personal growth, innovation and learning every day.
• The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible from March 2025. The starting date is flexible until Fall 2025.

Application and Selection process

Applicants should hold a Master Degree in Physics or related topics, or 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 grant (expected early 2025).

They should provide a CV, including full University Records, and arrange for two letters of reference, all to be uploaded to https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29164 .

For further information please contact: Diego Blas (dblas@ifae.es ).

IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply. 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.

Funding Statement