Are you interested in doing original research in String theory - A theory that unifies all particles and forces in nature, including gravity, in a way consistent with the laws of quantum mechanics and relativity?

String theory is the most promising theory that unifies all particles and forces in nature, including gravity, in a way consistent with the laws of quantum mechanics and relativity. String theory answers fundamental questions about the symmetries of nature, the quantum behaviour of black holes, the existence and breaking of supersymmetry, and the quantum treatment of singularities. In string theory all the forces and particles emerge in an elegant geometrical way, realizing Einstein's ultimate dream of building everything from the geometry of space-time.

What are you going to do?

You are expected to:

• do original research in this field under the direction of one of the faculty members in the group;
• use mathematical tools on a daily basis to attack fundamental problems in theoretical physics;
• participate in the many seminars by internal and external speakers as well as journal clubs and group activities;
• collaborate with other PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and other faculty members.

At the end of the PhD programme you 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, you will have the possibility to develop collaborations with other members of the Institute of Physics (IoP) and pursue applications of string theory techniques in other fields.

• A MSc in Physics or equivalent degree;
• excellent written and oral English communication skills.

A temporary contract for 38  hours per week for the duration 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). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be  €2,325 to €2,972 (scale P) gross per month, based on fulltime (38 hours a week), exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus. A favorable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science – Institute of Physics

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 6,500, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Amsterdam String Theory Group is part of the Faculty of Science and is one of the largest and most prominent groups in the world. The group's research interests are diverse and extend across all of string theory, including topological strings, supersymmetric gauge theory, gravity/gauge theory dualities, supergravity and cosmology. 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.

Our group's faculty members include: Daniel Baumann, Jan de Boer, Alejandra Castro, Miranda Cheng, Ben Freivogel, Diego Hofman, Jan Pieter van der Schaar, Erik Verlinde and Marcel Vonk.