PhD position in theoretical particle physics

The organization

Nikhef is the national institute for subatomic physics in the Netherlands. At Nikhef, approximately 220 physicists and 80 technical staff work together in an open and international scientific environment. Together they perform theoretical and experimental research in the fields of particle and astroparticle physics. Nikhef is a partnership between six major Dutch universities and the NWO-I Foundation, the Institutes Organization of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Nikhef participates in a wide range of research collaborations, including the ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the Virgo gravitational waves interferometer in Pisa, the Xenon-nT dark matter experiment in Gran Sasso, the Pierre Auger cosmic ray observatory in Argentina, and the eEDM research programme in Groningen. Nikhef furthermore has scientific groups on theoretical particle physics, physics data processing, and detector R&D, and has excellently equipped technical departments in mechanics, electronics, and computing. Nikhef hosts a LHC Tier-1 data processing center and offers substantial additional computing resources for end-user data analysis and simulation.

The group
The activities of the Nikhef theory group (theory.web.nikhef.nl) include higher-order calculations and jet physics in perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics, parton distribution functions, 3D imaging of the proton, effective field theories, flavour physics, gravity, and cosmology, among others. The Nikhef theory group and Nikhef as a laboratory provide a very stimulating environment with many seminars, colloquia, and journal clubs meetings, including also various interactions with the experimental groups.

Job description

We are looking for candidates for a PhD position. The topic concerns theoretical and phenomenological aspects of perturbative QCD in relation to collider physics, including parton showers. In particular soft and collinear radiative effects, at both leading and next-to-leading power, and their all-order summation for various observables and other quantities will be a focus of research associated with this position.

Requirements
Applicants should have a Master degree (or equivalent) in physics and good knowledge of Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model. Good software skills are desirable.

Further information can be obtained from Prof. Eric Laenen (Eric.Laenen@nikhef.nl).

Offer

You will be employed by the NWO-I-foundation and will obtain the status of junior scientist. You will receive a 4 year contract. Your gross monthly starting salary will be €3.115,– in the first year to €3.989,– in the last year. The conditions of employment of the NWO-I-foundation are excellent and can be found via Working at. The starting date of the appointment is foreseen to be in the fall of 2026, or early 2027. As Theoretical Physics PhD student, the candidate will become members of the Dutch Research School of Theoretical Physics (DRSTP), offering a wide spectrum of activities.

Application
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by clicking the 'Apply Now' button below.

Please be prepared to upload a curriculum vitae, a brief motivation letter and a statement of research interests, as well as provide email addresses of at least two referees who are willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Review of applications will start on Sept. 21, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.