Quantum Gravity Unit / Postdoctoral Scholar

The position

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST; see www.oist.jp) is a dynamic graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The school is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking beautiful shorelines and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding (OIST campus video tour). There are no academic departments, which facilitates cross-disciplinary research. Superb resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration. English is the official language of the university, and the research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. After only ten years, OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in research, education, and innovation.

 

Unit summary:

Our group is broadly interested in quantum gravity and high-energy theory. Current members and their main interests include:
1. Yasha Neiman (group leader): de Sitter space physics and higher-spin gravity.
2. Mirian Tsulaia: "old-school" string theory, higher-spin gravity.
3. Vyacheslav Lysov: black hole physics, boundary degrees of freedom.
4. Aritra Banerjee: cosmology, flat holography, string theory.
5. Sudip Ghosh (leaving in 2021): scattering amplitudes, flat holography, string theory.
6. Dorin Weissman (leaving in 2022): non-critical strings, stringy models for hadrons.

Position summary:

Looking for a talented and independent postdoc to join our Quantum Gravity group starting in fall 2022.
The position is for 2 years initially, with extension to 3.
Both stringy and non-stringy approaches to quantum gravity are welcome to apply.
Adjacent research groups at OIST include those of Shinobu Hikami, Philipp Hoehn and Reiko Toriumi.

Responsibilities

Our postdocs are expected to be independent in their research. We have collaborations within the group, but Yasha's "supervision" capacities are normally reserved for Ph.D. students.
Postdocs in the group have ample opportunity (but no obligation) to teach and mentor graduate students, as well as to organize workshops and similar events.

Qualifications

Ph.D. in the physical sciences.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation in accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations

Benefits:

  • Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
  • Annual paid leave and summer holidays
  • Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid http://www.shigakukyosai.jp/ )
  • Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
  • Worker’s accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
Submission Documents
  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Research Statement
  • Publication list
  • Three reference letters

* Please be sure to indicate where you first saw the job advertisement.

* Prior to the start of employment all new hires are required to successfully complete a background check. Personal information including employment history and academic background should be submitted to third-party administrators after a conditional offer of employment.

Declaration
  • OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff. The University strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups.
  • Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential, documents will not be returned. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications.
  • Please view OIST policy for rules on external professional activities
  • Further details about the University can be viewed on the OIST website www.oist.jp.
Job Type
Postdoc
Starting Date
As early as possible
Employment Term

Full-time, fixed-term appointment for 2 years. Contract initially with a 3-month probationary period (inclusive). This contract may be renewed for a total of three years.

Working Hours

9:00-17:30 (Discretionary)

Report To
Professor Yasha Neiman
Job Location
Main Campus: 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
Application Due Date
Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.
*Application will be closed once the position is filled.
If you have any question, please contact us