PhD Position in Quantum Mathematics

Application deadline: 15. March 2025 at 23:59 hours local Danish time
Centre for Quantum Mathematics (QM) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMADA), University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a 3-year PhD position with a PhD project in Perturbative Quantum Field Theory. Targeted starting date for the position is 1 August 2025.
Application deadline: 15. March 2025 at 23:59 hours local Danish time
We are not permitted to directly contact your academic references under any circumstances, so please ensure their letters have reached us by the deadline.
The application requirements are detailed at the end of this advertisement.

The project
The goal of the project is study cutting and gluing of the spacetime manifold in perturbative quantization of classical field theories, in particular the Chern-Simons field theory. The long-term goal is to make progress on a longstanding open conjecture that the asymptotics of the Reshetikhin-Turaev invariants can be identified with the perturbative quantization of Chern-Simons theory.

Candidate profile
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate within the field(s) of mathematics, mathematical physics or theoretical physics. The successful candidate will have some background in mathematics, particularly topology and category theory, as well as some knowledge of quantum field theory and path integrals.

The successful candidates will be expected to have:

• MSc degree in mathematics, mathematical physics or theoretical physics – to be obtained before 1 August 2025 (equivalent to a Danish master's degree)
• Excellent writing and oral skills in English and ability to work independently.

Research environment
The PhD project will be funded by a grant from the Independent Research Fund Denmark - ``From perturbative to non-perturbative Quantum Field Theory via cutting and gluing’’ - and carried out within the Centre for Quantum Mathematics (QM). QM is located at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences on the international campus of University of Southern Denmark in Odense, Denmark. QM is established with the ambition to create a highly international and interdisciplinary group within a broad spectrum of pure mathematics and mathematical physics. Odense is a fast-growing international community with an open Scandinavian culture, affordable housing and living costs. For more information on the QM centre, please visit https://www.sdu.dk/en/qm.

Contact information
Further information is available from the Head of the Centre, Professor Jørgen Ellegaard Andersen ([email protected]) or Assistant Professor Konstantin Wernli ([email protected]).

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.
Further information about The Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Application must be in English and made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:

• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) .
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information.
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades.
• Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly to [email protected] mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. Please note that these need to reach us before the deadline.

Assessment
Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Shortlisted applicants will be assessed by an assessment committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the Faculty. As part of the overall assessment, the applicant may be called for interview.Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Applications should be sent electronically via the link "Apply now". The faculty expects applicants to read the information "How to apply" before applying. Please note that the application documents should be in pdf-format and attached as three documents: motivation letter, CV and the remaining documents.

We recommend that as an international applicant you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.

Placering: Odense, Denmark