PhD position in Quantum Gravity, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

A PhD position in Quantum Gravity is available in the High-Energy Physics Department of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP) of the Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Prof. Renate Loll on a project “Origin and Emergence of Spacetime Symmetries”, co-supervised by Dr. Annegret Burtscher (Mathematics Department), and with collaboration by Dr. Renee Hoekzema.
This position is part of a national consortium “Emergence at all Scales”, which is the national flag-carrier of the NWA route 2 game changer Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena (d-iep.org). EAAS combines 8 Dutch and 1 Ukrainian university as well as Statistics Netherlands (CBS) in an interdisciplinary and collaborative endeavour aimed at understanding emergent phenomena across scales, combining multiple fields including physics, mathematics, astronomy, history and philosophy of science, and social science. Its approach to societal engagement throughout the project’s 5-year lifetime is equally interdisciplinary, with a wide variety of activities ranging from art/science programmes, large scale science festivals, citizen science and educational initiatives at various levels. EAAS is hiring a total of 20 PhD/postdoc scientists to join the team, and our project/group leaders share the ambition of gender parity in hires across EAAS.
Within this context we invite interested candidates to apply for this PhD position, to work on the subproject “Origin and Emergence of Spacetime Symmetries”. This project aims to elucidate the role of spacetime symmetries like cosmological isometries and de Sitter- or Lorentz invariance, which are usually taken for granted in descriptions of the very early universe, in a nonperturbative Planckian regime, where spacetime is highly quantum-fluctuating. Using lattice gravity methods based on causal dynamical triangulations, a key goal is to construct microscopic symmetry precursors, and investigate if and how (approximate) symmetries can emerge under coarse-graining.
Applicants must have a university degree in (theoretical) physics at master level or equivalent and proven abilities in theoretical physics and mathematics, including courses on General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory at a minimum. Good programming skills and a working knowledge of Monte Carlo simulations are essential prerequisites. The PhD position is for four years, which is the expected time for obtaining a doctoral degree in the Netherlands, and is paid according to nationally set standard rates. PhD candidates are required to take a number of courses, usually in the form of attending winter schools organized by the Dutch Research School for Theoretical Physics. They also act as teaching assistants for about ten percent of their working time. We particularly encourage women and candidates from other under-represented groups to apply.
If selected for this position you are also expected to participate in the various scientific activities, meetings and workshops of the EAAS consortium, to form interdisciplinary collaborations across fields and geographical locations within the Netherlands, and to acquire skills by active participation in science communication activities, interacting with public audiences and taking part in a pilot programme where experience can be acquired in high school science teaching.
Applications should be sent by email as a single pdf-file to R. Loll at the address stated below and consist of a cover letter, CV, transcripts of university grades and degrees, a statement of research interests and motivation for undertaking doctoral research in quantum gravity, as well as the names of at least two senior scientists who are in a position to judge the applicant’s suitability for a PhD in theoretical physics. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The review of applications will begin on Jan 10, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.