The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This is a Research Associate funded by the Leverhulme International Professorship grant “Quantum geometry and arithmetic” (PI: Albrecht Klemm). Candidates with a background in enumerative algebraic geometry, high energy mathematical physics, or number theory in relation to quantum field theory are particularly encouraged to apply.

The position will be hosted in the Sheffield Algebraic Geometry and Mathematical Physics group (https://agmp.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/) in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Sheffield. This a thriving and expanding group of geometers and mathematical physicists, with currently 8 permanent faculty, and a healthy cohort of postdocs and PhD students. Our interests broadly encompass complex algebraic geometry and the geometric structures that underpin quantum field theory and string theory, including mirror symmetry, Bridgeland stability conditions, topological strings, gauge theory, moduli spaces of curves, Donaldson-Thomas theory, derived categories, dualities in string theory, and their relations to integrability, combinatorics, and number theory.        

Main duties and responsibilities

• Contribute to and support the work of the research group into topological string theory, mirror symmetry, gauge theory, arithmetics of Calabi-Yau motives, and applications to Feynman integrals.
• Give and attend local working seminars and participate in collaborations.
• Prepare high-quality research publications.
• Maintain a systematic record of scientific outcomes.
• Attend international conferences, and give talks on the work of the research group.
• Plan your own research schedule and workload within the project schedule to ensure that the overall project milestones and objectives are met.
• Continuously monitor and check research results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks to keep abreast of developments and use this information to brief colleagues and inform the work of the project.
• Carry out administrative roles as required.
• Take on, if desired, a small amount of undergraduate teaching, for example tutorial work as directed.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in Mathematics or Physics, or be close to completion. [assessed at application / interview]
• Expertise in enumerative algebraic geometry, quantum field theory, or number theory [assessed at application / interview]
• Expertise, or clear potential to develop research directions, in at least one of the following research topics:
  • Dwork's  p-adic  deformation of Calabi-Yau (CY)  differential ideals
  • Hasse Weil zeta functions of  Calabi-Yau motives and CY-modularity. Deformation of the mixed Hodge structures and analytic as well as modular properties of the topological string amplitudes.
  • Quasi modular and almost holomorphic rings in the topological B-model. 
  • Refinement of the topological string on CY-manifolds.
  • Enumerative and homological  mirror symmetry.
  • Stability properties of Gopakumar-Vafa, Pandharipande-Thomas  and Donaldson-Thomas invariants in topological string and supersymmetric geometrically engineered  supersymmetric  gauge theories. 
  • Non-perturbative completions of the latter. 
  • Evaluation of  Feynman integrals by CY motives and their extensions.
  • Applications of these  techniques in quantum field theory and general relativity.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal. [assessed at application / interview]
• Ability to work well independently, as well as effectively as part of a team. [assessed at application / interview]
• Ability to conduct innovative research in pure mathematics [assessed at application / interview]
• Ability to show personal initiative, reliability, and attention to detail. [assessed at application / interview]
• Broad interests across pure mathematics and mathematical physics [assessed at application / interview]

Desirable criteria

• Postdoctoral research experience. [assessed at application / interview]
• Experience of giving presentations and writing research publications for peer-reviewed journals. [assessed at application / interview]

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £38,249 - £46,735

Work arrangement: Full-time

Duration: 36 months

Line manager: Leverhulme International Professor

Direct reports: N/A

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mps

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Prof Andrea Brini, Professor of Mathematical Physics: on a.brini@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on week commencing 7th April 2025. This will consist of a Zoom interview . We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 24th March 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact hicks-hr@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.