The Amsterdam String Theory Group

The Amsterdam String Theory Group is one of the largest and most prominent groups in the world. It consists of faculty and staff members Jay Armas, Daniel Baumann, Jan de Boer, Miranda Cheng, Lorenz Eberhardt, Ben Freivogel, Diego Hofman, Mikhail Isachenkov, Andrea Puhm, Jan Pieter van der Schaar, Erik Verlinde and Marcel Vonk, along with many visiting faculty, post-doctoral researchers and PhD candidates.

The group's research interests are diverse and extend across all of string theory, including AdS/CFT and its applications, string cosmology, emergent gravity and mathematical aspects of string theory. There is a stimulating atmosphere in the group, a diverse range of nationalities, and an active visitor programme which attracts the best string theorists from all over the world.

We always encourage young and talented researchers to join our group. Please see our PhD and postdoc vacancies or seek contact with any of our current members if you are interested to join.

Postdoc positions

The String Theory Group hires several new postdocs annually. Positions are available through the centralized European PostDoc database, where you can indicate your preference for a position in Amsterdam. An additional position for a 'Simons Fellow in Celestial Holography’ is available through Academic Jobs Online. Positions usually open up in the fall and are filled in February. Starting dates are flexible, but are generally in the fall of that year.

PhD positions

The String Theory Group hires several new PhD students anually. Open positions are usually announced in December or January through AcademicJobsOnline. Decisions are made in the spring, with a starting date that is generally in September.

The PhD candidate will do original research in this field under the direction of one of the faculty members in the group. The candidate will be comfortable using mathematical tools on a daily basis to attack fundamental problems in theoretical physics. The daily activities of the PhD candidate consist mainly in research, but it is also expected that the candidate participates in the many seminars by internal and external speakers as well as journal clubs and group activities. Collaboration with other PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and other faculty members will be encouraged. At the end of the PhD program the candidate will be an expert in at least one of the subfields of High Energy Theoretical Physics. While these topics are fundamentally of a theoretical nature, the candidate has the possibility to develop collaborations with other members of IoP and pursue applications of string theory techniques in other fields.

Requirements 

An MSc. in Physics or an equivalent degree is required to be considered for this position. The candidate needs to possess excellent written and oral English communication skills.

Further information

General questions regarding the program can be directed to Erik Verlinde.

Appointment 

The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a period of 4 years (initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The PhD candidate is also expected to assist in teaching of undergraduates. The starting date for these positions is usually on September 1st.

Job application

Applications will be received, usually starting in December or January and closing in March. All applications should include a cover letter where you will present yourself briefly, a personal statement where your background and potential research interests are described, a cv, grade transcripts and 2 recommendation letters (sent directly by your recommenders). Furthermore, preselected candidates will be interviewed and, if accepted in the program, will be matched with potential PhD advisors.

Other jobs and further information

If you are interested in other jobs, want to join our group but no current vacancies are listed, or have any questions that are not answered by the job advertisements, contact a faculty member whose research interests are aligned with your own.