PhD fellowship in gravitational physics

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The Center of Gravity at the Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for 6 PhD fellowships in gravitational physics. The project is part of the Center of Excellence "Center of Gravity", which is financed by the Danish Research Foundation.

Start date is (expected to be) fall 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

 

The project

We are looking to solve some of the most pressing questions in black holes physics, on the problem of motion in Gravitation and on the search for the ultimate description of Nature.

 

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of gravitational physics and high energy physics. Applicants can have a background from partial differential equations to astrophysics or high energy physics. We welcome all talented, highly motivated candidates.

 

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

In the Center of Gravity (CoG), we strive to understand the gravitational interaction and the cosmos. The CoG is a center for new ideas about the foundations of physics.

We bring together cutting edge research in observations of black holes and in the formal theory of relativistic and quantum aspects of gravity, completing the visions of Bohr and Einstein for the gravitational interaction. Our research endeavor spans from data analysis to theoretical disciplines within astrophysics and high-energy physics, and we aim to drive gravitational-wave physics to an exciting future. The Center takes advantage of the remarkable talent at the Niels Bohr Institute, to promote synergies linking fundamental physics with observations.

We have our physical home in the beautiful and legendary building at Blegdamsvej 17, established by Niels Bohr. This is the place where quantum theory was born and where many new exciting developments in gravity are now taking place. Today, the Niels Bohr Institute carries an important legacy in physics and is one of the leading institutes in theoretical and experimental physics. Located in Copenhagen, a vibrant and lovely city, the Institute is very easy to reach. The Niels Bohr Institute is renowned in Denmark and is a beloved institution in the community at large (it’s not uncommon to see families stopping outside the institute to take pictures). The Institute is famous for the many scientific breakthroughs that took place within its premises. The theoretical advances regarding the structure of the atom and the explanation of the periodic table, together with breakthroughs in nuclear physics and pioneering work in string theory and quantum gravity, all took place here. The famous Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum Mechanics was developed at NBI by Bohr and many other collaborators. Fermi’s golden rule was actually developed by Paul Dirac while at NBI.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

 

Principal supervisors are Professors Emil Bjerrum-Bohr, Vitor Cardoso, Troels Harmark, Niels Obers, Maarten van de Meent, Ziqi Yan, all from the Niels Bohr Institute.
Contact email is vitor.cardosonbi.ku.dk

 

The PhD programme

Depending on your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme ( 5+3 scheme) , if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B: A n up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree - but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors’s degree.

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Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

 

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD candidate at the PhD School at the Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

 

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme

If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor’s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .  

 

Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Physics.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD candidates simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: For SCIENCE ?url=www.science.ku.dk%2Fphd&module=jobs&id=4230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=www.science.ku.dk%2Fphd&module=jobs&id=4230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.science.ku.dk/phd , "Study Structures".

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: "SU-klip") plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of 150 working hours per year.
A PhD grant portion is currently (2024) DKK 6.820 before tax.

When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

 

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / 1/2 FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

 

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in fundamental physics.
• Good language skills

 

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Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

 

Please include: 

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page) , explaining how you would fit in the Center of Gravity.
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Reference letters (if available)

 

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 22.03.2026, 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

 

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at ?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployment.ku.dk%2Ffaculty%2Frecruitment-process%2F&module=jobs&id=4230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployment.ku.dk%2Ffaculty%2Frecruitment-process%2F&module=jobs&id=4230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/­recruitment-process/ .

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 13.

 

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

[General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.science.ku.dk%2Fphd%2F&module=jobs&id=4230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.science.ku.dk%2Fphd%2F&module=jobs&id=4230" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/ ] .

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position. 

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation - with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture - creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Contact

Vitor Cardoso
E-mail: nzk765ku.dk

Info

Application deadline: 22-03-2026

Employment start: 01-09-2026

Working hours: Full time

Department/Location: Niels Bohr Institute

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