SONATA junior group

From August 2025 to July 2028 my work at Wrocław University is supported by a SONATA grant from the Polish National Science Centre (NCN), project No. 2024/55/D/ST2/01205 funded by the NCN for the project "New perspectives on Sigma Models from Integrability, Generalised Geometry and Decoupling Limits"

People:

• Postdoc (from Autumn 2026, see opening below)

• PhD-student (from Autumn 2026)

External:

• Alex Swash (PhD student in group of Falk Hassler, co-supervision)

Guests:

• Josh O'Connor (U Mons/RBI Zagreb), January 2026

Job opening:

• Postdoc position (2 years)

Job description:

The Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Wrocław, Poland, invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position in String Theory and Mathematical Physics within the SONATA junior group project "New perspectives on Sigma Models from Integrability, Generalised Geometry and Decoupling Limits" by the National Science Centre Poland (NCN) under the leadership of David Osten. In addition to the PI and a postdoc (you), the group will consist of one or two PhD students. The group will have close ties to the group of Falk Hassler that currently consists of three PhD students and a postdoc working on related topics.

It is expected that you spent at least 50% of your time on projects related to the grant. We care about your professional development, therefore, in the remaining time, you are also encouraged to develop an independent research profile or sharpen your professional profile for applications outside academia. You will be provided with generous traveling funds (~4000 EUR/year) to participate in workshops and conferences, present our work and extend your network of potential collaborators. Potentially, you will be included in the supervision of a PhD student.

Research Tasks: You will contribute your ideas to research projects of the group, which are focused on the topics

• integrable field theories

• generalised geometry and double/exceptional field theory

• non-Lorentzian decoupling limits of (super)gravity theories

in particular in the context of sigma models. The overall aim of the grant "New perspectives on Sigma Models from Integrability, Generalised Geometry and Decoupling Limits" is to extend known methods from two-dimensional sigma models to higher dimensional ones.

Terms of Employment: 

The position is guaranteed for two years (24 months). Ideally, the start date will be October 1st 2026.

How to apply:

Please send a document containing

1. 1. General information about you (name, email, PhD date, and university)

   2. a Cover letter, stating your research interests and how they connect to the grant project

   3. a Curriculum vitae

   4. a list of publications. Please highlight your most important paper and briefly explain the contribution to the field.

to: Application.Sonata.Postdoc@proton.me .

Please arrange for at least two letters of recommendation to be sent to the same address

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but the application is closed on

Sunday, August 2nd 2026 23:59:59 CET.

Please make sure that also your reference letters have been sent by then.

Requirements:

• PhD degree in theoretical or mathematical physics, or mathematics, by the start date of the position

• fluent English in writing and speaking

• ability to do research independently

• proven ability to publish in leading journals of field (JHEP, Physical Review D, Nuclear Physics B, SciPost, ...)

• experience on one or more of the following topics is desirable: integrable models, generalised geometry and double/exceptional field theory, supergravity, conformal field theory, non-Lorentzian (non-relativistic or Carollian) limits in gravity theories, topological field theory, graded geometry, higher algebra

Salary: After taxes, pension, and health insurance your salary will be around 7000 PLN per month, plus a 13th salary. You are entitled to 20 days of paid holidays per year, in addition to public holidays.

The University of Wrocław is one of the leading universities in Poland, currently teaching over 26,000 students and around 1,300 doctoral students. It is situated on the banks of the Oder River in the city of Wrocław. With more than 130,000 students, Wrocław is one of the most youth-oriented cities in the heart of Europe.