Postdoctoral Project Researcher in AI-enhanced Theoretical Physics

Position Description

Applications are invited for a project researcher position at the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU (WPI)), the University of Tokyo.

The successful candidate will conduct research in theoretical physics combined with agentic AI. The project aims to develop agentic systems with adaptive, high levels of privacy that can be integrated into theoretical physicists’ workflow. Evaluation through real-world research projects will be essential. We encourage applications from individuals with a strong physics background and motivation to pursue independent research questions, ideally overlapping with some of the interests of IPMU theoretical physicists. Previous experience with large language models is valued but not essential, some experience with computer programming would be useful. The successful candidate is expected to work with Leander Thiele, a faculty member at Kavli IPMU.

This position is supported by the JST PRESTO project, “Human-AI Collaboration for Theoretical Physics” (JPMJPR26287514, PI: Leander Thiele).

• Position

Postdoctoral project researcher (one position)

• Applicant eligibility

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in physics or related areas by the position's starting date.

• Research items

The successful candidate will be affiliated with Kavli IPMU and will conduct research in theoretical physics and agentic AI. The research will involve traditional physics research according to the candidate’s interests as well as construction and evaluation of agentic AI systems that can gain capabilities from researchers’ private data.

• Date of the contract

Starting at April 1, 2027 is desirable, but is negotiable

• Employment conditions

The contract can continue until March 31, 2030. There is a possibility to extend the contract until September 30, 2030, depending on budgetary conditions and starting date. Salary will be similar to the Kavli IPMU Postdoctoral Fellowship and thus highly competitive compared to other leading institutions in Japan.

• Selection procedure

Screening based on the submitted documents and interview.

• Documents to submit (only English documents are accepted)

The application documents must be uploaded at “Application Form” on the Academic Jobs Online server (the applicant needs to register at AcademicJobsOnline.org https://academicjobsonline.org/ .)

• CV
• Research Statement
• Publication List
• At least three reference letters
• Submission deadline

December 1, 2026 (Tue), although later applications may still be reviewed.

• Inquiries

Please feel free to inquire about this position by sending an email to Leander Thiele (leander.thiele@ipmu.jp).

• Note

Commuting allowance to the working place will be provided in accordance with the relevant university regulations. A research budget will be provided and the successful candidate is encouraged to apply for external funding in Japan to support their own research activities.

Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, has the ambitious goal to discover the fundamental laws of nature and to understand the universe from the synergistic perspectives of mathematics, theoretical and experimental physics, astronomy, and statistics. It is an international research institute with English as its official language, established in October 2007. More than a half of its full-time scientific members come from outside Japan.

We seek to build a diverse, highly interactive membership. Female and international applicants are strongly encouraged.

Personal information received through this application process will not be used for any other purposes.

Per Japanese government rules on protection of personal information and on foreign trades, we are required to include this link to this solicitation.