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Exciting Research Fellow Opportunities in String Theory and Holography

The String Theory and Holography (STAG) group at the School of Mathematical Sciences is currently offering three exceptional Research Fellow positions, presenting a prime opportunity for ambitious physicists and mathematicians to advance their careers in cutting-edge theoretical physics. These roles are embedded within two prestigious, grant-funded projects, offering a unique chance to contribute to significant breakthroughs in our understanding of quantum gravity and fundamental physics.

Project Overviews:

• Project 1: "Chaos and Coarse-Graining in Holography: Towards a New Paradigm for Quantum Gravity"

  This 2-year position, funded by a UKRI Frontier Research Grant, is led by Dr. Felix Haehl. It delves into the intricate relationship between chaos, coarse-graining, and holographic principles, aiming to reshape our understanding of quantum gravity. This project offers a focused, impactful research experience with a clear timeline.

• Project 2: "Quantum Gravity: a Unified View from Holography, Lattices, and Strings"

  Supported by a Future Leaders Fellowship, this project, under the leadership of Dr. Ida Zadeh, offers two 3-year positions. It seeks to unify diverse approaches – holography, lattice methods, and string theory – to forge a comprehensive view of quantum gravity. This longer duration provides an excellent platform for in-depth exploration and significant contributions.

Advantages for Candidates:

• World-Class Research Environment: Join a vibrant and highly regarded research group with a distinguished faculty, including Professors Kostas Skenderis and Oscar Dias, alongside a dedicated team of researchers. Your work will be situated within the broader STAG Research Center, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and exposure to a wide range of expertise.
• Impactful Research: Contribute to groundbreaking research funded by major grants, addressing some of the most profound questions in theoretical physics. The projects are designed to push the boundaries of current knowledge and establish new paradigms.
• Career Development: These positions are specifically designed to support early to mid-career researchers. The experience gained, mentorship received, and the opportunity to publish high-impact work will significantly bolster your academic profile and prepare you for future research leadership roles.
• Collaborative Spirit: The STAG group and the wider STAG Research Center foster a strong sense of community. You will have ample opportunities to collaborate with peers, senior academics, and researchers from affiliated departments, enriching your research journey.
• Commitment to Well-being and Diversity: The School of Mathematical Sciences is deeply committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, evidenced by its Athena SWAN Bronze award. The university offers excellent support for work-life balance, including generous maternity policies and childcare facilities, creating an inclusive and supportive atmosphere.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Specialized Expertise: These roles are ideal for candidates with a strong foundation in string theory and holography. For Dr. Haehl's project, experience in quantum chaos, conformal field theory, effective field theory, and/or hydrodynamics is particularly valuable. For Dr. Zadeh's project, a background in conformal field theory, string theory compactification, lattice theory, and holography will be highly advantageous.
• Research Independence and Contribution: While part of established projects, successful applicants will be expected to contribute significantly to the development and activities of the research group. This is an opportunity to hone your independent research skills and make tangible contributions.
• Academic Progression: The fixed-term nature of these positions, coupled with the significant research output expected, aligns well with a career path focused on academic research. The experience will be invaluable for securing future postdoctoral positions or faculty appointments.
• Doctoral Research: Applicants should possess a PhD (or be nearing completion) in Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related field, demonstrating a strong theoretical understanding and research capability.

These Research Fellow positions represent a significant opportunity for talented individuals to immerse themselves in a leading research environment and contribute to transformative discoveries in theoretical physics. We encourage applications from candidates who are passionate about unraveling the mysteries of the universe and are eager to develop their careers within a supportive and dynamic academic setting.