The Theoretical Physics group of Vrije Universiteit Brussel invites applications for a 4-year PhD fellowship in theoretical high-energy physics, normally starting in September 2025.

 

An overview of the composition and research themes of our group can be found on the webpage https://hep.research.vub.be/theoretical-physics. The current position is in the general area of the research themes “Holography, quantum entanglement and the emergence of spacetime” and/or “Black holes, thermalization, quantum chaos and complexity”; the main supervisor will be Ben Craps (https://inspirehep.net/authors/1012842).

 

Our group is affiliated with and strongly involved in the International Solvay Institutes, http://www.solvayinstitutes.be/index.html, which organize many activities and attract many visitors. We also have strong ties, including weekly joint seminars, with neighboring theory groups in and near Brussels. At VUB, we are part of the Strategic Research Program “High-Energy Physics”, https://hep.research.vub.be/home.  

 

During the first few months of the PhD, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in the intensive Amsterdam-Brussels-Geneva-Paris doctoral school, http://www.solvayinstitutes.be/html/doctoral.html. The rest of the PhD will be mostly devoted to research, including participating in the scientific life of the group and broader community. A limited amount of time will be spent on teaching, including the supervision of bachelor’s and/or master’s students.

 

Candidates need to have a master’s degree in physics or equivalent (or be in the process of obtaining this degree in time). While funding is available for 4 years, we do ask new PhD students to apply during their first year for individual fellowships from the science foundation FWO, https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-fundamental-research/.

 

Applications should include a cover letter, a 1-page motivation statement, a CV, and grade transcripts of bachelor’s and master’s courses (all combined into a single pdf file, to be sent by email to Ben.Craps@vub.be with subject “PhD position 2025”). In addition, (at least) two recommendation letters should be emailed directly by your referees (to Ben.Craps@vub.be with subject “PhD position 2025 [your name]”). For full consideration, applications and letters should be received by April 26, 2025, but late applications may still be considered should the position not be filled yet.