"Research Fellows in String Theory and Holography"

The String Theory and Holography group in the School of Mathematical Sciences invites applications for three Research Fellows. These positions will be part of one of the following two projects:

• “Chaos and Coarse-Graining in Holography: Towards a New Paradigm for Quantum Gravity”, which is funded by a UKRI Frontier Research Grant (ERC Starting Grant) and led by Principal Investigator Dr Felix Haehl. One 2-year position is available and will normally start in August 2026. Salary is level 4, up to spinal point 34.
• "Quantum Gravity: a Unified View from Holography, Lattices, and Strings",which is funded by a Future Leaders Fellowship and led by Principal Investigator Dr Ida Zadeh. Two 3-year positions are available and would normally start in October 2026. Salary is level 4, up to spinal point 32.

Academic context:

Successful applicants will join the String Theory & Holography Group within the School of Mathematical Sciences. Members of the String Theory & Holography Group include: Prof. Kostas Skenderis, Prof. Oscar Dias, Prof. Andreas Schmitt, Dr. Ines Aniceto, Dr. Fridrik Gautason, Dr. Felix Haehl, Dr. Carlos Mafra, Dr. David Turton, Dr. Ben Withers, Dr Itamar Yaakov, Dr Ida Zadeh in Mathematical Sciences, and Prof. James Drummond, Prof. Nick Evans, Dr Ömer Gürdogan in Physics. They will also be members of the STAG Research Center, which encompasses scientists at the interface of string theory, quantum field theory, gravity and astrophysics.

Applicants' profile:

The successful applicants will have a track record of research in string theory and holography. For Dr. Haehl’s project desirable experience includes holography, conformal field theory, quantum chaos, effective field theory and/or hydrodynamics. For Dr. Zadeh’s project, background in conformal field theory, string theory compactification, lattice theory and holography will be desirable. All fellows will contribute to the development and activities of the research group.

The successful applicants should have a PhD (or be close to completing a PhD) in Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline, or equivalent research.

EDI and working environment:

The School of Mathematical Sciences is committed to promoting equality and diversity, and holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award demonstrating this commitment. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation, and will give due consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and to those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy and onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits designed to help maintain and support employees' well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

Applicants who have applied through the Joint European Postdoc Application via Academic Jobs Online will still need to submit an application via Southampton University.

As part of the application process, please arrange for three confidential recommendation letters to be sent by your references to the following e-mail address by the closing date of this advert: STHG.Applications@soton.ac.uk