Heising-Simons Fellows in Quantum Gravity

About this position

• The Heising-Simons Collaboration on "Observational Signatures of Quantum
• Gravity" invites postdoctoral applications for up to five
• Heising-Simons Fellows in Quantum Gravity, to begin around September
• 1, 2027. The goal of this collaboration is to bring together theorists
• from diverse backgrounds to develop theoretically well-founded
• proposals of quantum gravity and explore their possible observational
• signatures. We believe that connecting formal advances in quantum
• gravity to the natural world we live in could result in a true
• breakthrough. We therefore seek a paradigm shift that brings theory
• and observation together, helping to close the chasm between quantum
• mechanics and gravity. We will tackle foundational issues, effective
• descriptions, and observational tests of those effective descriptions.
• We are committed to inclusive excellence and innovation and thus hope
• to develop a diverse and thriving collaborative community. This
• Collaboration uniquely brings together diverse faculty at four Hub
• institutions: Yanbei Chen (Caltech) Ben Freivogel (University of
• Amsterdam) Steve Giddings (University of California, Santa Barbara)
• Cynthia Keeler (Arizona State University) Maulik Parikh (Arizona State
• University) Erik Verlinde (University of Amsterdam) Kathryn Zurek
• (Caltech). Our research interests span quantum gravity, particle
• theory, string theory, gravitational waves, and astrophysics. The
• collaboration will feature extended visits between the collaboration
• hubs, and yearly workshops of all collaboration members to discuss
• open research questions and progress. To learn more about the
• collaboration visit www.qurios.caltech.edu. The ideal candidate will
• have technical skills to work in gravity and will be interested in
• exploring new questions related to possible observability of quantum
• effects in gravity, manifested in laboratory experiments such as
• interferometers, cosmological observation, or observation of
• astrophysical objects such as black holes e.g. via gravitational
• waves. The appointment requires completion of a PhD and is expected to
• start as early as September 2026 with competitive compensation and
• significant research travel support. The initial appointment will be
• for two years with expected renewal for a third year contingent on
• performance review. The salary range for this position is $76,000 -
• $80,000. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be
• set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to,
• experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training,
• and internal equity. The QuRIOS Collaboration at Caltech also operates
• within the vibrant theory community of the Walter Burke Institute for
• Theoretical Physics at Caltech; for more information, see
• https://www.theory.caltech.edu and https://burkeinstitute.caltech.edu.
• A complete application includes a cover letter, CV, publication list,
• short statement of past and future research and three letters of
• reference. Ideally the cover letter (maximum one page) will address
• the candidate’s creative problem solving ability, technical
• background, interest in exploring new directions, and collaborative
• skills. Please address any science questions to Dr. Kathryn Zurek
• (kzurek@caltech.edu), or other collaboration members, and any
• administrative questions to Carol Silberstein,
• carol@theory.caltech.edu.