Key Skills

Job Description

Position Description A postdoc position in high-energy physics and the hydrodynamics of spin transport is available at the Institute of Physics at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and at the institute of Physics at the Utrecht University (UU), The Netherlands. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Jay Armas (UvA) and Umut Gürsoy (UU) and will have the opportunity to collaborate with Jan de Boer (UvA), Elisa Chisari (UU) and Wilke van der Schee (UU). The position is integrated in the consortium Emergence at All Scales (EAAS)* and within this context we invite interested candidates to apply for a 3 year postdoctoral position, and work on the sub-project Hydrodynamics of spin for extreme matter. We particularly encourage women and candidates from other under-represented groups to apply. The project aims at developing hydrodynamic theories that include spin degrees of freedom using the framework of approximate symmetries and holography with the goal of understanding phases of the quark-gluon plasma and other forms of extreme matter. One of the project's goals is to combine spin degrees of freedom with superfluidity and magnetic fields and extract relevant phenomenological features. If offered the position, we expect the postdoc to spend equal amounts of time between the string theory group at the University of Amsterdam** and the string theory group at Utrecht University***. Specifically, we envision the first 1.5 years being based at the UvA (with regular visits to UU) and the last 1.5 years based at the UU and with regular visits to the UvA. The cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht are very well connected, within a commuting time of only 30 minutes by affordable public transport. The position also includes 4k€ of travel funding for meetings, conferences, workshops and schools. If selected for this position you are 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. For more information regarding the position contact Jay Armas ([email protected]) and Umut Gürsoy ([email protected]). About the EAAS consortium The consortium Emergence at all Scales (EAAS) is the national flag-carrier of the NWA route 2 game changer Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena. 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 & 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. About the string theory group at the University of Amsterdam The Amsterdam String Theory Group at the University of Amsterdam is one of the largest and most prominent string theory groups in the world. The group’s research interests are diverse and extend across all of string theory, including topological strings, supersymmetry gauge theory, holography, quantum gravity, quantum field theory, supergravity, cosmology and hydrodynamics. There is a stimulating atmosphere in the group, a diverse range of nationalities, and an active visitor program which attracts the best string theorists from all over the world. The faculty members in the string theory group are 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. The string theory group has close ties with the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena where various interdisciplinary research projects are pursued across various scientific fields. About the string theory group at the University of Utrecht The high energy/string theory group at Utrecht University covers a wide range of topics including string theory, quantum chromodynamics, quantum field theory, hydrodynamics and holography. The faculty members working on these and related areas are Elisa Chisari, Thomas Grimm, Umut Gürsoy, Tanja Hinderer, Gerard ‘t Hooft, Ro Jefferson, Eric Laenen, Stefan Vandoren and Wilke van der Schee. The high energy/string group at the Institute of Physics, Utrecht University, and especially the themes of Umut Gürsoy, Tanja Hinderer and Wilke van der Schee are closely linked to the experimental groups at the Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP).

Core Responsibilities

Develop hydrodynamic theories incorporating spin degrees of freedom, using approximate symmetries and holography to investigate the quark-gluon plasma and other forms of extreme matter. Explore combinations of spin with superfluidity and magnetic fields, participate in consortium research and interdisciplinary collaborations, and contribute to science communication and high-school teaching activities.

Requirements

The posting does not specify formal education, experience, or other eligibility requirements. Candidates interested in high-energy physics and spin hydrodynamics are encouraged to apply, with particular encouragement for women and candidates from under-represented groups.

Benefits

• Travel Funding