PhD vacatures

Staff Scientist, AI and Machine Learning in Physics

Nikhef is the national institute for subatomic physics in the Netherlands. At Nikhef, approximately 220 physicists and 75 technical staff work together in an open and international scientific environment. Together they perform theoretical and experimental research in the fields of particle and astroparticle physics. Nikhef is a partnership between six major Dutch universities and the NWO‑I Foundation, the Institutes Organization of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Nikhef participates in a wide range of research collaborations, including the ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the Virgo gravitational waves interferometer nearby Pisa, the Xenon‑nT dark matter experiment at LNGS, the Pierre Auger cosmic ray observatory in Argentina, and the eEDM research programme in Groningen. Nikhef furthermore has scientific groups on theory, physics data processing and detector R&D, and has excellently equipped technical departments in mechanics, electronics, and computing. Nikhef hosts a LHC Tier‑1 data processing centre and offers substantial additional computing resources for end‑user data analysis and simulation.

The AI and ML research group

Starting in 2026, a new Nikhef AI and ML group will establish a scientific research agenda to develop AI/ML technology with broad applicability across Nikhef's particle and astroparticle physics programmes. The growing group will coordinate AI/ML activities at Nikhef, collaborate with leading national and international AI/ML communities, and participate in European AI‑in‑science initiatives. Nikhef is initially recruiting two dedicated staff scientists as well as postdoctoral researchers for this group.

The position

The successful candidate will contribute to and lead research efforts in AI and ML for particle and astro‑particle physics, and will play an important role in defining the research agenda of the group. The candidate is expected to supervise PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers within the AI/ML group, to deepen the impact of AI/ML in the Nikhef science programmes through collaborative R&D efforts, and to advance the frontier of AI/ML in particle and astroparticle physics through participation in international collaborative efforts and policy initiatives. The candidate is expected to be proactive in the procurement of science funding on AI/ML related topics and to participate in the organisation of AI/ML education and training for Nikhef scientists.

Requirements

Applicants are expected to have a PhD degree in physics, computer science or a closely related field, a demonstrated multi‑year record of outstanding and impactful research in AI/ML for (astro)particle physics, and a track record of successful supervision of PhD candidates and postdocs. Applicants are expected to have proficient communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.

Offer

The successful candidate will be offered a fixed‑term employment contract, with the explicit intention of changing this to a permanent position upon mutual satisfaction. Depending on the seniority of the candidate, tenure may be offered right away. Our new colleague will be employed by the Dutch foundation for scientific research NWO‑I and based at Nikhef in Amsterdam. In addition to an attractive salary, the conditions of employment are excellent and include extra months’ salary payment in May and December and good travel arrangements. More information about the NWO‑I foundation can be found here. The date on which the appointment is to begin will be determined by mutual agreement.

Application

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button at the bottom of this vacancy. Please be prepared to upload a curriculum vitae, a motivation letter and the email addresses of three referees who are willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The deadline for applications is May 20th 2026. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview in Amsterdam in the second half of June, 2026.

Further information on this position can be obtained from prof. Dr. Wouter Verkerke (verkerke@nikhef.nl) or dr. Sascha Caron (scaron@nikhef.nl).

Nikhef is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, and strongly encourages candidates from under‑represented minorities to apply.

Job details

Title

Staff Scientist, AI and Machine Learning in Physics

Nikhef is the National Institute for Subatomic Physics. Our research is aimed at particle and astroparticle physics.

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