Postdoctoral Fellowship in the High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Astrophysics Theory Group, Cape Town, South Africa

The High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Astrophysics Theory (HEPCAT) group in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship starting in 2022. The HEPCAT group was established around the South African Research Chair in Physical Cosmology held by Amanda Weltman. Group members conduct research on a wide range of theoretical physics, cosmology and astrophysics problems, with a particular focus on connecting observation and theory.
For more information on the activities of the HEPCAT group, see http://hepcat.group/. Our faculty members include Shajid Haque, Jeff Murugan, Jonathan Shock and Amanda Weltman. We will consider candidates with an interest in quantum complexity and its application in quantum field theory, quantum many-body systems, cosmology and gravity. There are additional opportunities to perform joint work across all group research areas, including machine learning techniques in physics and astrophysics. Applicants must have a track record of accomplishment and independence in their research.
The appointment must comply with the University’s approved policies, procedures and practices for the postdoctoral sector, and is subject to the rules and approval of the University of Cape Town and the National Research Foundation of South Africa.
The appointment is for one year at the outset, with a possible extension of one year subject to budgetary approval and satisfactory progress. A PhD in Physics, Applied Mathematics or Astronomy is required. Postdoctoral experience is a bonus, however the candidate needs to be within 5 years from the date of PhD at the start of the position and may not have held a full-time permanent academic or professional post.
Cape Town is an extremely beautiful city, surrounded by natural beauty. With beaches, mountains and forests only a short way from the city centre, Cape Town offers a perfectly balanced lifestyle. The city offers a wonderfully cosmopolitan atmosphere at a relatively low cost of living. The postdoc funding level is R200 000 per annum, tax free. Additional support in the amount of R25 000 is available for equipment and travel funding as appropriate.
Interested candidates should send a CV, a research proposal (2-3 pages), and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to melissa.largier[AT]uct.ac.za. Please use the following format in the subject line: YOURNAME, Postdoc 2022. Screening of candidates will start in March 2022 and will continue until the positions are filled. Any queries can be sent to shajid.haque[AT]uct.ac.za.
The University of Cape Town reserves the right to:
– disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications
– change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all