PhD Position: Theoretical Particle Physics

1. Introduction

Are you fascinated by the mysteries around dark matter and its signatures at particle colliders? Do you enjoy working at the intersection of theoretical and experimental particle physics? We look forward to your application!

2. Job description

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct fundamental research in theoretical particle physics, with close connections to experimental observations. Your project will be supervised by Dr Susanne Westhoff (Radboud University) in close collaboration with Dr Flavia de Almeida Dias (University of Amsterdam).

This position is part of the research project ’Reconstructing 25% of the Universe with New LHC Triggers’, which is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The main goal of this project is to develop theory predictions and new searches for dark matter bound states in the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with Dr Flavia de Almeida Dias and a postdoctoral researcher in experimental particle physics.

Your appointment will be for four years, starting in January 2026 or soon thereafter. It includes funding for travelling to international conferences and visiting collaborators worldwide. Your duties as a teaching assistant cover about 10 percent of your work time, spread over the course of the appointment.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit our website about working as a PhD candidate. 

3. Profile

• You hold a Master's degree in physics with a clear emphasis in theoretical particle physics. (This can be demonstrated, for example, by successfully having completed courses on quantum field theory and the Standard Model of particle physics.) Or you expect to obtain your Master’s degree around the starting date of the appointment.
• You are curious, communicative, critical, enthusiastic, proactive, and excited to learn about new developments in theoretical physics.
• You are able to work in a team as well as independently.
• You have excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English.  

4. We are

This PhD position is embedded in the High-Energy Physics Department at the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP) at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). Currently, it is home to 17 PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers.

Research at the department covers a broad range of topics, including theoretical and experimental particle physics, gravitational waves and quantum gravity. Research seminars and informal events foster a vibrant and friendly work atmosphere.

The position also offers you ample opportunities to collaborate and establish connections with particle physicists at Nikhef, the Dutch National Institute for Subatomic Physics.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Susanne Westhoff. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on 15 October 2025. You will preferably start your employment on 1 January 2026.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.