String Theory & Fields

An INFN Scientific Initiative - Padova Section

The String Theory & Fields Initiative
ST&FI @ Padova

The ST&FI Initiative

The String Theory & Fields Initiative is a collaborative research project coordinated by the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) at

INFN Bologna & Bologna University
INFN Catania & Catania University
INFN Napoli & Federico II University
INFN Padova & Padova University
INFN Roma 2 & Tor Vergata University
INFN Torino & Torino University
INFN Trieste & Trieste University & SISSA Trieste

ST&FI investigates the cutting-edge developments in supersymmetric quantum field theories, holography and quantum gravity, string phenomenology and string cosmology, and formal developments in string theory.

The National Coordinator is Prof. Marialuisa Frau (Torino). The Padova coordinator is Prof. Alessandro Sfondrini.

Open Positions in String Theory & QFT in Padova

We are seeking to fill one PhD position positions with start date in October 2025.

The precise detail of the position will be announced shortly, as the laws and university regulations concerning PhD contracts are currently being clarified. We expect a formal call to open in April 2025.

The positions are funded by the grant "New Tools for String Theory" which involves Alessandro Sfondrini (PI), Dmitri Sorokin and Roberto Volpato (co-PIs). Topics of interest include:

Worldsheet approaches to the AdS3/CFT2 correspondence (both CFT and integrability)
Integrable models and their deformations, especially in relation to AdS/CFT
Two-dimensional conformal field theories and applications to string theory and holography
Generalized symmetries and their consequences in QFT and in quantum gravity
Supergravity and superstring compactifications, supersymmetry breaking.
Non-linear electrodynamics theories and their implications for cosmology and condensed matter.

Interested candidates are invited to familiarise themselves with the recent publications of the (co-)PIs and may contact them for further information.

Staff Members in Padova

Sergey Frolov is a Professor at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and an INFN Foreign Visiting Fellow (2024-2025). His interests include the study of gauge theory, string theory, AdS/CFT, and integrable classical and quantum field theory.

Kurt Lechner is a Professor at Padova University and an INFN member. His interests include supergravity and superstring theories, M theory, anomalies, and more recently non-linear generalisation of electrodynamics like the ModMax model.

Pieralberto Marchetti is a Professor at Padova University and an INFN member. His interests include foundational aspects of QFT and QM, topological features of QFT, and their application to high-Tc superconductors.

Marco Matone is a Professor at Padova University and an INFN member. His interests include the study of dualities in (supersymmetric) QFT, of conformal field theory, as well as classical-quantum dualities.

Alessandro Sfondrini is a Professor at Padova University and an INFN member. His interests include integrable quantum systems, AdS/CFT and the study of superstrings with CFT and integrabilty techniques on the worldsheet.

Dmitri Sorokin is a Director of Research at the INFN. His interests include the study of supergravity, string and branes, (self-)duality, and more recently non-linear generalisation of electrodynamics like the ModMax model.

Roberto Volpato is a Professor at Padova University and an INFN member. His interests include two dimensional (supersymmetric) conformal field theory, moonshine, and generalised / non-invertible symmetries.

Post-doctoral researchers

Current post-doctoral researchers associated with the group are:

Jessica Hutomo (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow), supervisor Dmitri Sorokin
Moritz Kade, supervisor Alessandro Sfondrini
Matheus Augusto Fabri, supervisor Alessandro Sfondrini

Post-doctoral researchers who completed their contract in 2024

Stefano Gregorio Giaccari, supervisor Roberto Volpato (now at Torino University)
Andrea Leonardo Guerrieri (Padova MSCA Fellow), supervisor Alessandro Sfondrini (now at CERN)
Ángel Murcia, supervisor Dmitri Sorokin (now at Barcelona University)
Davide Polvara, supervisor Alessandro Sfondrini (now at DESY Hamburg)
Anton Pribytok, supervisor Alessandro Sfondrini (now at BIMSA Beijing)
Torben Skrzypek, supervisor Alessandro Sfondrini (now at DESY Hamburg)

Recent and planned activities and events

Our group has been and is involved in several recent and upcoming activities.

COST Action "Fundamental Challenges in Theoretical Physics". This is a large network which organises a number of meetings, schools, scientific exchanges, funded by the COST association. Alessandro Sfondrini is the Action Chair. Within its activities we highlight
- Action General Meeting 2025 - Eurostrings at NORDITA Stockholm
- Action General Meeting 2024 - Kickoff at Padova University
- Integrability in low-supersymmetry theories in Trani, Italy
Young Researchers Integrability School 2023, Durham University
Young Researchers Integrability School 2022, NORDITA Stockholm

Grants

The research of our group is supported by

The Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare through its Theory Group
The Department of Physics of the University of Padova

Moreover, we have received funding on a competitive basis from

Grant New Tools for String Theory
PI A. Sfondrini, co-PIs D. Sorokin, R. Volpato
Call “Excellent Scientific Research” 2023 — CARIPARO Foundation (Italy)
Grant Understanding Quantum Field Theory through its Deformations
PI A. Sfondrini, co-PIs R. Volpato, R. Frassek (Modena), R. Tateo (Torino),
Call "Research Projects of National Interest (PRIN) 2022" — Italian Ministry of Resarch
Grant New Foundations for String Theory
PI A. Sfondrini
Call “Supporting Young Italian Talents” 2021 — CARIPLO Foundation
Grant A new exact approach to holography
PI A. Sfondrini
Call "Supporting Talent in ReSearch@University of Padua (STARS)" 2021 — Padova University

Outreach on YouTube

We have realised two animated documentaries on string theory and the holographic principle in collaboration with the YouTube Channel Kurzgesagt, available below. The project was originally funded in the context of an Agora grant funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

String Theory for Dummies

Together with the author of the first edition, Andrew Zimmermann Jones, one of us (Alessandro Sfondrini) co-authored the second edition of String Theory for Dummies, in the famous For Dummies series by Wiley.

The book reviews some of the most important topics in modern physics which paved the way for the formulation of string theory. We try to convey some of the main challenges in formulating a theory of quantum gravity without using advanced mathematics, and sketch how string theory tries to resolve them. We also try to be transparent in explaining the successes and the limitations of string theory, and what are the open challenges that remain to be addressed.

The book is available for purchase both online and in press (we do not get any financial benefit from its sales).

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