Job description

Applications are invited for one Research Associate post in Theoretical Physics in the Department of Mathematics at King’s College London. This is a fixed-term post for 24 months and is funded by the Royal Society project ‘Advancing the Conformal Bootstrap in Three and Four Dimensions’. The project is aimed at enhancing our understanding of conformal field theories through the application of perturbative and non-perturbative methods. 

Candidates should have the potential to carry out research which has high levels of originality, innovation and depth that may lead to significant impact on the field of conformal field theory with and without defects and boundaries, and have expertise related to general theoretical physics, including aspects of quantum field theory and gravity.

The post is available as of 1 April 2024, with a start date between 1 April 2024 and 1 October 2024, and is for a 2-year period.

To apply, please register with the King’s College London application portal and complete your application online.  

This post will be offered on a fixed term contract for 2 years 

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Carry out research on conformal field theory, which has significant levels of originality, innovation, and depth.
• Develop and undertake research of high quality, consistent with making a full active research contribution, including establishing a track record of high-quality publications.
• Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings and papers at internal academic meetings and external professional conferences and contribute to the internal and external visibility of the department.
• Contribute to the activities of the Theoretical Physics group within the department.
• Work as a conscientious and committed member of the team to achieve the aims of the projects.
• Undertake such specific departmental roles and functions as may be reasonably required, e.g., rotation as seminar programme co-ordinator.
• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects.

The post-holder will be supervised by Andreas Stergiou and will benefit from interactions with PhD students and other Research Associates working on related subjects. They will also benefit from interactions with other members of the Theoretical Physics group. There are no formal teaching duties associated with the position, but to further your career development a limited amount of teaching may be undertaken by mutual agreement.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

1.       PhD awarded in Theoretical Physics or relevant subject area, or PhD in Theoretical Physics or relevant subject area near completion 

2.       Research experience in Theoretical Physics and specifically in the area of conformal field theory, including in cases with boundaries and defects

3.       To have shown high levels of originality in their published papers on Theoretical Physics and in their personal statements

4.       To possess an underlying vision which motivates their research 

5.       Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing 

6.       Enthusiasm for research in Theoretical Physics 

Desirable criteria

1.       Good presentation and communication skills 

2.       Good strategic and organisational skills 

3.       General knowledge of Theoretical Physics

4.       Ability to work independently and in a team, and ability to meet deadlines

5.       Willingness to participate in Theoretical Physics seminars and other related activities 

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.