PhD Position: Mathematical Physics

Are you passionate about mathematical and theoretical physics, and interested in the history and philosophy of physics? Would you like to explore fundamental questions about black holes, entropy and irreversibility? If so, this PhD Position: Mathematical Physics could be the perfect opportunity for you.

PhD Position: Mathematical Physics

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct fundamental research on gravitational and holographic systems out of equilibrium. You will be part of both the Department of Mathematics at Radboud University and the Radboud Center for Natural Philosophy (RCNP), where mathematicians, physicists, philosophers and historians work together on foundational questions in the natural sciences, especially in physics.

This PhD position is part of the Origins of Irreversibility project funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Your research will focus on the thermodynamics of gravitational systems away from equilibrium, particularly black holes and cosmological horizons. Possible research directions include the dynamical horizon entropy, the Noether charge approach to gravitational entropy, black hole phase transitions, non-equilibrium formulations of thermodynamics, quantum field theory in curved space-time, semiclassical gravity, gravitational path integral, one-loop corrections to horizon entropy, holographic descriptions of dynamical black holes, and holographic heat engines. The precise direction of the project can be adapted to your background and research interests.

The project has a strong conceptual and interdisciplinary component. You will be affiliated with the Radboud Center for Natural Philosophy (RCNP) and will actively participate in its seminars, reading groups and other activities bringing together mathematical physics, theoretical physics, and the history and philosophy of physics. You will also collaborate with other researchers in the Origins of Irreversibility project and participate in relevant national and international conferences and workshops. Your duties as a teaching assistant in mathematics and mathematical physics will involve approximately 0.2 FTE during the first three years of appointment.

Does this sound like you?

• You are communicative, curious, critical, enthusiastic, proactive and willing to learn.
• You should be able to work in a team as well as independently.
• You should excel in mathematical as well as conceptual reasoning about physics and in doing calculations, and also be able to understand the literature on both mathematical and foundational aspects of physics in depth.
• You hold a Master's degree in mathematics with a strong background in physics (preferably in mathematical physics) or in theoretical physics with a strong mathematical background; or you are on track to obtain a Master's degree before the starting date of the project.
• Further academic qualifications in philosophy are recommended.
• You have a demonstrable interest in the mission of the Radboud Center for Natural Philosophy to improve ties between mathematics, physics, and the history and philosophy of science.
• You possess excellent written and oral English communication skills.

What we offer you

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,204 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €4,051 in the fourth year.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

The Radboud Center for Natural Philosophy was created in 2022 by Spinoza laureate Klaas Landsman. It is a forum for the exchange of ideas across mathematical physics, theoretical physics, philosophy of science, and the history of science. RCNP's general research focuses on determinism, randomness and emergence in modern physics. Members of RNCP include Klaas Landsman, Henk de Regt, Marij van Strien, Kian Salimkhani and Manus Visser, as well as a number of postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates and students. The JTF grant will enlarge the RCNP with four new postdoctoral researchers and two new PhD candidates, so it will give an enormous boost to the RCNP, including a large visitor programme and several conferences. The daily supervisor for this PhD position is Manus Visser and the main PhD supervisor is Klaas Landsman. You will be encouraged to collaborate with other members of RCNP or other colleagues within and outside Radboud University.

The Department of Mathematics represents a broad range of areas, including pure and applied analysis, mathematical physics, algebraic geometry, noncommutative geometry and number theory. The Department of Mathematics at Radboud University is part of IMAPP, the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics in the Faculty of Science. Within IMAPP, the adjacent departments of High-Energy Physics, including a very strong theory group in classical and quantum gravity with Renate Loll and Badri Krishnan, and Astrophysics, including a world-leading group in black hole imaging with the Event Horizon Telescope originally led by Heino Falcke, are relevant partners in this research project. IMAPP has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and employs the right balance of junior and senior staff, as well as of Dutch and international researchers, and it organises regular research seminars and informal events.

The Mathematics Department has over 20 PhD candidates, who together organise various academic (PhD colloquium, reading groups) and social activities. IMAPP has on average 45 PhD candidates altogether. PhD candidates at Radboud University are given plenty of opportunities for continuous development, as well as support during their PhD and for finding a job afterwards, both in academia and in industry. Moreover, the PhD Organisation Nijmegen organises educational and social activities, focusing in particular on the well-being of PhD candidates.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university.

You will preferably start your employment on 1 October, or later if necessary, but no later than 1 December 2026.