Research Officer in Lattice Field Theory and Machine Learning

Salary: £36,386 per annum together with USS pension benefits
Location: Singleton Campus, Swansea University
Contract:This is a fixed term position for 2 years from 1/10/23
Hours of work:35 hours per week

Swansea University’s vision is to transform lives and futures by providing an outstanding academic environment with a balance of excellence between world-class teaching and research, driving impact that is enabled by effective regional and global collaborations.

The Particle Physics and Cosmology Theory Group at Swansea University is seeking to recruit a postdoctoral research associate working at the interface between lattice field theory and machine learning. The post is for two years, and expectation is that start will be in the Fall 2023, although there is some flexibility for the start date. The position is funded by a Grant from the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

The PDRA will join the research programme led by G. Aarts and B. Lucini, which covers topics such as machine learning applications to the study of observables near phase transition points, the inverse renormalization group, persistent homology methods for identifying topologically non-trivial field configurations and lattice field theory derived machine learning methods.

The project will include both analytical calculations and software development. The ideal candidate for the post will have a strong background in lattice field theory and/or statistical mechanics with ideally demonstrable experience in machine learning. Candidates with a background in topological data analysis or machine learning willing to learn lattice field theory will also be considered. Given the range of skills considered, candidates are invited to provide in their application full details about their previous relevant experience and their expertise.

More details about the Particle Physics and Cosmology Theory Group can be found here

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/physics/research-and-impact/particle-physics-cosmology/

The successful candidate must possess:

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all of its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

We have an under-representation of women in the area of research and would particularly welcome applications from women for this position. We also have an under representation of individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and would encourage applications from these groups. Appointments will always be made on merit.

Interviews will be held on the week commencing 19th December 2022.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Prof. Gert Aarts g.aarts@swansea.ac.uk or Prof. Biagio Lucini b.lucini@swansea.ac.uk

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