Research Fellow in Quantum Criticality and Conformal Field Theory (EPSPA1140)

Do you have a background in lattice gauge theories, non-equilibrium physics or numerical simulations of quantum many-body systems? Would you like to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

The project will involve the development of new theoretical and computational approaches for quantum critical phenomena using the recent approach known as the "fuzzy sphere". The focus areas of the project include conformal field theories in 2+1 dimension and their numerical simulations using the noncommutative geometry of the fuzzy sphere (in particular, via exact diagonalisation, matrix product state and neural quantum state methods). Some of our recent papers relevant to the position include: 

https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.15299

https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.22539

https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.08036

https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.25054

https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.07655

What we offer in return

26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salaryHealth and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more! 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Zlatko Papic, Professor in Theoretical Physics 

https://theory.leeds.ac.uk/zlatko-papic/

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 3882

Email: [email protected]

Closing Date: 30 Oct 2026

Section: Research

Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 p.a.