Doctoral Researcher on Foundation Models in Astrophysics and Particle Physics

We seek eight doctoral researchers and four postdoctoral research scientists to join a newly established joint collaborative project Foundation Models in Astrophysics and Particle Physics (SciFM) funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The goal of SciFM is to develop large-scale foundation models, aiming for powerful, interpretable and open-access models to answer fundamental scientific questions in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. 

We offer an exciting multidisciplinary collaborative network which includes researchers from astrophysics, cosmology and particle physics in Aachen, Heidelberg, Hamburg and Munich. The selected candidates will work closely with all team members across the participating institutions.

Doctoral researcher positions:

The doctoral researchers (75% TV-L E13 public service pay grade) will work on a domain-specific research project (astrophysics, particle physics or cosmology), typically embedded in one host institution. At the same time, they will frequently collaborate with other doctoral researchers across sites and domains, forming cross-disciplinary teams within the SciFM network.
 

All positions are available immediately and are funded for 3 years.

Locations

The principal investigators of the SciFM project, their research topic and host institutions are: 

• Prof. Gregor Kasieczka (particle physics; [email protected]) and Prof. Luisa Lucie-Smith (cosmology; [email protected]) at Hamburg University
• Dr. Caroline Heneka (cosmology; [email protected]) and Prof. Tilman Plehn (particle physics; [email protected]) at Heidelberg University
• Prof. Daniel Grün (cosmology; [email protected]) at LMU, Munich and Prof. Lukas Heinrich (particle physics; [email protected]) at TUM, Munich
• Prof. Michael Krämer (particle physics; [email protected]) and Prof. Philipp Mertsch (astrophysics; [email protected])  at RWTH Aachen University

Interested doctoral and postdoctoral candidates are invited to express interest in one or more of the host institutions, principal investigators and fields of research (astrophysics/particle physics/cosmology). The hired researchers will be part of the larger SciFM team and will participate in regular exchanges among the host institutions. 

We value and actively support equality, diversity and inclusion and strongly welcome applications from women and underrepresented minorities.

Qualifications

Candidates should possess good communication skills in English and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary, international environment.

Doctoral candidates should have a Master’s Degree in physics or related fields and an interest in and/or prior experience with programming and machine-learning techniques. German language skills are not required. 

Included benefits:
Pay and benefits are commensurate with the  public sector contract (TV-L, E13).

Application instructions

All application materials must be combined into one single PDF file and uploaded via the respective SciFM application portal. Please do not send application documents or reference letters by email.

The single PDF file should contain:

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Cover letter
3. Research statement (up to three A4 pages, 11pt font), including past research experience and future plans

Letters of recommendation: Applicants should list the contact information of at least two referees in the application form. We will contact these to provide a letter by the application deadline. 

Submission portal:

Applicants are asked to fill the following application form:

https://cloud.physik.lmu.de/index.php/apps/forms/s/oDcAHa9ayWyrGLQ3cYCLkcbz 

And upload their single-PDF application via:

https://cloud.physik.lmu.de/index.php/s/KgfqAY5KLStL7nG 

Deadline for all applications: 19 December 2025
Late applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Luisa Lucie-Smith ([email protected]) or any of the other PIs listed above.