Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The MIT Center for Theoretical Physics - a Leinweber Institute

Position ID:

MIT-CTP-LI-POSTDOC1 [#30700]

Position Title:

Postdoctoral Position in Nuclear Theory

Position Type:

Postdoctoral

Position Location:

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America

Subject Areas:

Physics / Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Theory, Nuclear Theory (nucl-th), Nuclear Theory-QCD, QCD

Starting Date:

2026/09/01

Appl Deadline:

2025/11/15 11:59PM help popup

(posted 2025/09/29, listed until 2026/03/29)

Position Description:

The nuclear theory group at the MIT Center for Theoretical Physics — a Leinweber Institute (CTP-LI) hopes to make one or more postdoctoral appointments to begin September 1, 2026. The research interests of our group are centered around QCD, with emphases that include lattice gauge theory, chiral perturbation theory, hadron structure, factorization, effective theories, heavy quark physics, jet physics, heavy ion collision physics, quark-gluon plasma in QCD and other gauge theories, connections to string theory, and QCD at high density. Our group currently includes faculty members William Detmold, Krishna Rajagopal, Phiala Shanahan and Iain Stewart as well as several postdocs and a large number of visitors. We also interact strongly with our particle theory colleagues, among whom Robert Jaffe, Hong Liu, Jesse Thaler, and Frank Wilczek have particularly strongly overlapping interests. Apply to the position at: http://www.academicjobsonline.org/.

Applications should include a CV, a statement of research interests, a list of publications and the names of three senior physicists who will provide letters of recommendation. There are also postdoctoral positions available in the CTP-LI in high-energy theory https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30699 and quantum information science / quantum computing https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30701. If your research aligns with more than one of these areas, or if you are unsure whether your research fits the description for a given position, we encourage you to apply for all CTP-LI positions which might be relevant. The CTP-LI also anticipates making offers of up to two Leinweber Physics Postdoctoral Fellowships, in any area of theoretical physics, with the same start date; see https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30698. The CTP-LI seeks a broad and diverse applicant pool, and welcomes applications from candidates at the intersections of (sub)fields.

For full consideration, applications should be received by 11.59pm US Eastern time on November 15, 2025, including all letters of recommendation. The application will request that you identify which faculty have research interests that are closest to your own; this is a required question, and if you do not answer it then your application will be considered incomplete.

The pay range for a 12-month academic staff appointment at the postdoctoral associate rank is $71,000 -$90,000. MIT provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the Institute reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements. This pay range represents base pay only and does not include any other benefits or compensation

MIT is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. View MIT Policy on Non Discrimination and EEOC’s Know Your Rights. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including possible verification of any findings of misconduct (or pending investigations) from prior employers.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Research statement
Publication list
Three reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site )

And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:

http://ctp.lns.mit.edu/

Center for Theoretical Physics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 6-307
Cambridge, MA 02139