Foundation Models in Astrophysics and Particle Physics (SciFM) in Aachen, Heidelberg, Hamburg and Munich

We seek four postdoctoral research scientists and eight doctoral researchers to join a newly established joint collaborative project Foundation Models in Astrophysics and Particle Physics (SciFM) funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The goal of SciFM is to develop large-scale foundation models, aiming for powerful, interpretable and open-access models to answer fundamental scientific questions in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. 

We offer an exciting multidisciplinary collaborative network which includes researchers from astrophysics, cosmology and particle physics in Aachen, Heidelberg, Hamburg and Munich. The selected candidates will work closely with all team members across the participating institutions. Application deadline: December 19th 2025.

Postdoctoral positions:

The postdoctoral researchers (full-time, TV-L E13 public service pay grade) will work on conceptual and methodological topics that cut across astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. Using shared machine-learning approaches, they are expected to build bridges between the physics domains, develop cross-disciplinary methodologies, and help drive the collaboration and exchange between the participating sites.

Doctoral researcher positions:

The doctoral researchers (75% TV-L E13 public service pay grade) will work on a domain-specific research project (astrophysics, particle physics or cosmology), typically embedded in one host institution. At the same time, they will frequently collaborate with other doctoral researchers across sites and domains, forming cross-disciplinary teams within the SciFM network.

All positions are available immediately and are funded for 3 years.

Locations

The principal investigators of the SciFM project, their research topic and host institutions are:

Prof. Gregor Kasieczka (particle physics; gregor.kasieczka@uni-hamburg.de) and Prof. Luisa Lucie-Smith (cosmology; luisa.lucie-smith@uni-hamburg.de) at Hamburg University
Dr. Caroline Heneka (cosmology; heneka@thphys.uni-heidelberg.de) and Prof. Tilman Plehn (particle physics; plehn@uni-heidelberg.de) at Heidelberg University
Prof. Daniel Grün (cosmology; daniel.gruen@lmu.de) at LMU, Munich and Prof. Lukas Heinrich (particle physics; l.heinrich@tum.de) at TUM, Munich
Prof. Michael Krämer (particle physics; mkraemer@physik.rwth-aachen.de) and Prof. Philipp Mertsch (astrophysics; pmertsch@physik.rwth-aachen.de) at RWTH Aachen University

Interested doctoral and postdoctoral candidates are invited to express interest in one or more of the host institutions, principal investigators and fields of research (astrophysics/particle physics/cosmology). Preference will be given to postdoctoral candidates with a background in cosmology at the Hamburg and Heidelberg locations, and to those with a background in particle physics at the Munich and Aachen locations. In all cases, the hired researchers will be part of the larger SciFM team and will participate in regular exchanges among the host institutions.

We value and actively support equality, diversity and inclusion and strongly welcome applications from women and underrepresented minorities.

Qualifications

Candidates should possess good communication skills in English and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary, international environment.

Postdoctoral positions:

Candidates should have a PhD in either particle physics, astrophysics or cosmology; prior experience in programming, and developing and applying statistical and machine learning models will be highly valued. German language skills are not required.

Doctoral positions:

Candidates should have a Master’s Degree in physics or related fields and an interest in and/or prior experience with programming and machine-learning techniques. German language skills are not required.

Included benefits:

Pay and benefits are commensurate with the public sector contract (TV-L, E13).

Application instructions

All application materials must be combined into one single PDF file and uploaded via the respective SciFM application portal. Please do not send application documents or reference letters by email.

The single PDF file should contain (for both postdoctoral and doctoral applicants):

Curriculum vitae
Publication list (optional for doctoral applicants)
Cover letter
Research statement (up to three A4 pages, 11pt font)
– For doctoral applicants: include past research experience and future plans
– For postdoctoral applicants: include past research, future directions, and methodological interests

Letters of recommendation: Applicants should list the contact information of at least two referees in the application form. We will contact these to provide a letter by the application deadline. Referees should name their letters using the following format: “Recommendation APPLICANT-LASTNAME REFEREE-LASTNAME”

Submission portals: