Postdoctoral position in Quantum gravity, Cosmology, and AI for Science

Position Description

Description: The Laboratoire d’Annecy de Physique Théorique (LAPTh, CNRS/Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc) invites applications for one postdoctoral position in theoretical physics, with research opportunities in quantum gravity, cosmology, and AI for Science, and additional connections to the Physics of Learning.

The main project investigates connections between fundamental theory and cosmology, with particular interest in accelerated expansion and the origin of dark energy within string theory and M-theory. It combines analytical approaches with the application and development of Machine Learning methods for solving the equations of motion governing compactifications.

There will also be opportunities to work on the Physics of Learning, whether to understand and improve learning algorithms in their own right or to feed back into the physics applications, using methods from physics to study, for example, the dynamics of optimization and sampling, the theory of neural networks, and neural scaling laws. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop their own independent research program alongside collaborative work within the project.

Qualifications: Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain by the starting date, a PhD in theoretical physics or a closely related field. We welcome candidates with a strong theoretical physics background and research interests relevant to one or more of the project’s directions. Experience with AI and machine learning is welcome but not required. Knowledge of French is not required.

Research Environment: The successful candidate will join the Mathematical Physics group at LAPTh and work with Dr. G. Bruno De Luca. A PhD student will be recruited at the same time, offering the opportunity to contribute to their supervision and help develop a growing research team.

The project is funded by the Multidisciplinary Institute for Artificial Intelligence (MIAI Cluster), offering interactions with researchers in fundamental physics, mathematics and AI. Existing contacts with researchers in the Simons Collaboration on the Physics of Learning provide further opportunities for scientific exchange. The position provides dedicated computing resources and support for conferences and research visits. The laboratory is located in Annecy, in the French Alps, about 45 km from Geneva, with proximity to CERN offering further opportunities for exchange and collaboration.

Terms of Employment: The appointment is for three years, with an anticipated start date in September 2027 and some flexibility possible. Salary will follow the USMB scale and be commensurate with experience. The appointment includes the usual social benefits.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates are invited to apply in English via AcademicJobsOnline, including:

(i) a cover letter;
(ii) a CV with a list of publications;
(iii) a research statement describing past work and future research interests;
(iv) at least three recommendation letters submitted directly by the referees.

Applications, including recommendation letters, received by 18 December 2026 will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a remote interview.

About LAPTh: LAPTh is a joint research unit of CNRS and Université Savoie Mont Blanc. Its scientific activities span mathematical physics, particle physics, cosmology and astroparticle physics.