Job Details and Essential Duties

The Heising-Simons Collaboration on “Observational Signatures of Quantum Gravity” (QuRIOS) invites postdoctoral applications for up to seven Heising-Simons Fellows in Quantum Gravity, to begin around September 1, 2025.

The QuRIOS collaboration was started in 2021 with the goal of bringing together theorists from backgrounds to develop theoretically well-founded proposals of quantum gravity and to 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.

The core faculty in the collaboration, located at four hub institutions, are 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), and Kathryn Zurek (Caltech). Our research interests span quantum gravity, particle theory, string theory, gravitational waves, and astrophysics. The collaboration features 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 via gravitational waves. The appointment is fiscal year, full-time, with competitive compensation and significant research travel support. The position has funding for three years.

About The Beyond Center and Cosmology

Postdocs appointed to ASU will be part of the Cosmology Initiative (https://cosmology.asu.edu/) as well as the Beyond Center (https://beyond.asu.edu/). Additionally, ASU Physics is a member of APS-IDEA (https://physics.asu.edu/idea) and will be joining the APS Chapters program (https://www.aps.org/membership/chapters.cfm).

About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Physics or a related field by time of appointment
• Strong record of publications and scientific research contributions in the field of interest

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills
• Interest in new research directions
• Demonstrated technical skills in physics
• Demonstrated collaborative skill
• Alignment of research interests with the goals of the collaboration
• Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter

Application Instructions (please read carefully!):

We invite interested researchers to submit separate applications to each individual collaboration hub institution (Amsterdam, Arizona State, Caltech, Santa Barbara) by December 1, 2025 for full consideration. Links to all advertisements at hub institutions can be found at www.qurios.caltech.edu.

For application to ASU, the application deadline is December 1, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool until the position is filled. Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier at http://apply.interfolio.com/157277 to submit the following application materials:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Publication list
Research statement
Three reference letters

The cover letter (maximum one page) should address the candidate’s creative problem-solving ability, technical background, interest in exploring new directions, and collaborative skills.

Hiring decisions will be coordinated by the collaboration, though offers will be extended from individual institutions. Fellows may also specify their preferences of institutions in the cover letter, and some Fellows will have the opportunity to be jointly appointed at more than one institution over the period of the Fellowship.

Please address any science questions to Dr. Cynthia Keeler or Dr. Maulik Parikh, or other collaboration members, and any administrative questions to Jeanette Perez, Jeanette.R.Perez@asu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. ASU’s full nondiscrimination statement (ACD 401) is located on the ASU website at https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX.

Clery Act Statement

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