International Centre for Theoretical Physics – Asia Pacific
 
 Openings for Multiple Postdoctoral Positions

The International Centre for Theoretical Physics – Asia Pacific (ICTP-AP), at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), will open multiple postdoctoral positions in 2026. The positions will provide successful candidates the opportunity to concurrently pursue their own research directions in gravitational-wave and/or dark-matter physics and phenomenology, while also collaborating with members of the ICTP-AP/UCAS LIGO group.
 
About the Institution

ICTP-AP is the first UNESCO Category II center in fundamental sciences established in China. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to high-level research, education, and training in frontier areas of basic science and related interdisciplinary fields.
 
The Center is jointly supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Italy), and is hosted UCAS.

Official website:
https://ictp-ap.org
 
Position Details

  • Location: Beijing, China
  • Duration: Two years, renewable up to three years
  • Salary & Benefits:
    • Annual pre-tax salary of RMB 250,000 (excluding the employer’s contribution to social insurance and housing fund)
    • Housing allowance: RMB 6,000 per month
    • Generous support for travel and research expenses
    • Applicants are encouraged to apply for national/postdoctoral fellowship programs; successful awards will lead to corresponding salary increases

About the group
 
 The successful candidates will join the gravitational-wave group at ICTP-AP and conduct research in collaboration with Andrew L. Miller at ICTP-AP, as well as other faculty, postdocs and students.
 
 The ICTP-AP gravitational-wave group focuses on using LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA as precision instruments to probe particle dark matter and exotic compact objects. It currently has two faculty members (Huaike Guo and Andrew L. Miller), five postdocs, and five PhD students.   The group develops and applies robust data-analysis methods for continuous and long-duration gravitational-wave signals, and is involved in stochastic gravitational-wave background studies. Research spans gravitational-wave astronomy, particle physics, and statistical inference, and is carried out in close interaction with international collaborations.
 
 We welcome new collaborations and research directions.
 
 About Beijing
 
Beijing is a vibrant international metropolis with a population of over 20 million, combining modern urban life with a rich cultural and historical heritage. The city is made up of many distinct neighborhoods and is surrounded by mountains, offering access to outdoor activities as well as nearby historical landmarks, including several well-preserved sections of the Great Wall.
 
 As a major transportation hub, Beijing provides convenient high-speed rail and air connections to other regions of China, making it easy to explore the country. Supported by a large academic community and a diverse international population, the city offers a stimulating environment for both professional and personal life at a reasonable cost of living.
 
 Qualifications

  1. A PhD in Physics
  2. Strong academic record
  3. Research experience in gravitational-wave physics, particularly in any of the following areas:
    • Probes of dark matter with gravitational waves
    • Continuous gravitational waves
    • Gravitational-wave searches for primordial black holes
    • Data analysis for next-generation ground- and space-based gravitational-wave detectors
  4. Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, with high-quality publications as first or lead author in top journals of the field

Application Materials

  1. Cover letter and curriculum vitae
  2. List of publications
  3. Brief research statement detailing the applicant’s experience and what they would like to do at ICTP-AP
  4. Two letters of recommendation from experts in the field

Application Submission
 
 Application portal:
https://ictp-ap.org/form/112 
 
 After submitting the online application, the system will automatically generate links for uploading recommendation letters. Applicants should forward these links to their referees. Applicants will not have access to the recommendation letters.
 
 Recruitment Process

  1. Applications will be accepted starting from the date of announcement until the position is filled
  2. Application review is expected to begin on January 23, 2026

The start date is negotiable, with early start encouraged.
 
Contact Information
 
 For any inquiries, please email Andrew L. Miller at: andrew.miller.ligo@ucas.ac.cn

 Address:
 Building 7, Zhongguancun Campus
 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
 Haidian District, Beijing, China