IFT (Madrid, Spain) invites applications to pursue a PhD (predoctoral contracts) in gravitational waves and gravitational lensing, funded by CSIC-MAX and “Atracción de Talento” grants. The positions will start in October 2026 or later. The positions are covered until the successful completion of a PhD, up to a maximum of 4 years.
Applicants must hold, or be close to completing, a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Physics or a closely related field. The degree must be obtained before the starting date of the contract, in accordance with Spanish regulations for predoctoral positions.
Successful candidates will collaborate with Miguel Zumalacárregui (website, joining IFT in Summer 2026). Potential topics include:
- Wave-optics phenomena in gravitational lensing (e.g. 2409.04606)
- Searches for lensed gravitational waves and tests of dark matter (e.g. 2212.11960)
- Gravitational lensing of stars by binary black holes (e.g. 2506.16544)
- Tests of gravitational-wave propagation, dark energy and modified gravity (e.g 2511.08023)
We are looking for creative and highly motivated students with expertise or interest in cosmology, gravitational lensing, gravitational waves, compact-object astrophysics, data analysis, and/or computational methods.
The group participates in the Euclid and LISA missions and maintains active collaborations with the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (AEI, Potsdam, Germany), the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton, US), the University of Oxford (UK), the Niels Bohr Institute (Copenhagen, Denmark) and the University of California at Berkeley (US). Students will have opportunities to pursue their own ideas, develop independent research directions, and work both with other group members and with external collaborators.
IFT is a leading Spanish center for theoretical physics, spanning cosmology, gravitation, high-energy, and astroparticle physics. With a vibrant international community, the institute runs active visiting programs, workshops, and Masters and PhD training, and has been distinguished as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, recognizing its scientific leadership.
IFT is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women and members of underrepresented groups are encouraged.
To apply please submit academic transcripts, and a CV including a brief statement of motivation and research interests (1–3 pages). A list of publications is welcome but not required. Please indicate “cosmology” as the field of interest, and arrange for 2 recommendation letters to be sent.
Review of applications will begin on January 10th and continue until the positions are filled. For questions regarding the position please contact miguel.zumalacarregui@aei.mpg.de.