Postdoctoral Positions

Apply to be an AJL-ICMT Postdoctoral Researcher

1 - Postdoctoral Research Associate in Condensed Matter Theory

The Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory (AJL-ICMT) of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announces a postdoctoral opening for the Spring 2026, in theoretical condensed matter physics. The position is a postodc fellowship associated with the Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory (AJL-ICMT). The successfull candidate will collaborate with the theory faculty at AJL-ICMT as well as experiment groups at UIUC and external institutions. This is a two-year-long position with a possible third year extension. 

To apply, please submit cover letter, CV, and three letters of reference by December 1, 2025, via this form. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Thierry Ramais (ramais@illinois.edu).

• Topological and strongly correlated systems;
• Emergent hydrodynamics and transport in interacting quantum matter;
• Critical phenomena;
• Information-theoretic characterizations of phases.

The Department of Physics of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the preeminent Physics Departments in the world. For the past twenty years we have been ranked among the top ten Physics departments in the US and we are top ranked in Condensed Matter Physics. Condensed Matter Physics has a long tradition of excellence at Illinois, going back to the work of John Bardeen, Leon Cooper, and J. Robert Schrieffer in the first theory of superconductivity, and Anthony J. Leggett on the theory of superfluid ³He.

Our Institute was established in 2007 with support from the University of Illinois. This Fall 2023 it became the Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory. AJL-ICMT faculty members work on very broad areas of research in Condensed Matter Physics. Quantum Materials is one of our main strengths and we are working in several key areas including Topological Phases of Matter, Quantum Hall fluids, High Temperature Superconductors, Ultra-Cold Gases, Simulations of Quantum Fluids and Quantum Materials, Non-Equilibrium Physics in Classical and Quantum Systems, Quantum Entanglement and Quantum Information in Condensed Matter, Quantum Criticality, and the AdS/CFT correspondence to Condensed Matter. Current AJL-ICMT faculty include Barry Bradlyn, Bryan Clark, David Ceperley, Karin Dahmen, Tom Faulkner, Rafael Fernandes, Eduardo Fradkin (current AJL-ICMT Director), Matthew Gilbert, Taylor L. Hughes, Jong Yeon Lee, Anthony J. Leggett, Robert G. Leigh, Philip Phillips, Michael Stone, Lucas K. Wagner, and Smitha Vishveshwara.

Postdoctoral researchers at Illinois interact with other theorists at Illinois, with the superb and large experimental condensed matter group, including members of the Materials Research Laboratory, the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) and have access to unparalleled facilities for computation through the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

We welcome applications from women and minorities. The University of Illinois is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled  http://go.illinois.edu/EEO

The University of Illinois is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and welcomes applications from minority and women candidates.

2 - Postdoctoral Research Associate in Condensed Matter Theory & Quantum Information - 2025/2026

The Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory (AJL-ICMT) of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announces a postdoctoral opening for the Spring 2026, at the interface of theoretical condensed matter physics and quantum information science. The successful candidate will work in Jong Yeon Lee research group, with close ties to the Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory (AJL-ICMT) and Institute for Quantum Information Science Technology (IQUIST) center, and will collaborate with theory and experiment groups at UIUC and external institutions. Successful candidates will also be considered for the IQUIST fellowship which carries an additional $10,000 per annum.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, a CV, and three letters of reference by December 1, 2025, via this form. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Thierry Ramais (ramais@illinois.edu).

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Open quantum systems and non-equilibrium dynamics (decoherence-induced phenomena, Lindbladian/Keldysh approaches)
• Emergent hydrodynamics and transport in interacting quantum matter
• Topological and strongly correlated phases; critical phenomena; information-theoretic characterizations of phases

The Department of Physics of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the preeminent Physics Departments in the world. For the past twenty years we have been ranked among the top ten Physics departments in the US and we are top ranked in Condensed Matter Physics. Condensed Matter Physics has a long tradition of excellence at Illinois, going back to the work of John Bardeen, Leon Cooper, and J. Robert Schrieffer in the first theory of superconductivity, and Anthony J. Leggett on the theory of superfluid ³He.

Our Institute was established in 2007 with support from the University of Illinois. This Fall 2023 it became the Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory. AJL-ICMT faculty members work on very broad areas of research in Condensed Matter Physics. Quantum Materials is one of our main strengths and we are working in several key areas including Topological Phases of Matter, Quantum Hall fluids, High Temperature Superconductors, Ultra-Cold Gases, Simulations of Quantum Fluids and Quantum Materials, Non-Equilibrium Physics in Classical and Quantum Systems, Quantum Entanglement and Quantum Information in Condensed Matter, Quantum Criticality, and the AdS/CFT correspondence to Condensed Matter. Current AJL-ICMT faculty include Barry Bradlyn, Bryan Clark, David Ceperley, Karin Dahmen, Tom Faulkner, Rafael Fernandes, Eduardo Fradkin (current AJL-ICMT Director), Matthew Gilbert, Taylor L. Hughes, Jong Yeon Lee, Anthony J. Leggett, Robert G. Leigh, Philip Phillips, Michael Stone, Lucas K. Wagner, and Smitha Vishveshwara.

Postdoctoral researchers at Illinois interact with other theorists at Illinois, with the superb and large experimental condensed matter group, including members of the Materials Research Laboratory, the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) and have access to unparalleled facilities for computation through the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).

We welcome applications from women and minorities. The University of Illinois is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled  http://go.illinois.edu/EEO

The University of Illinois is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and welcomes applications from minority and women candidates.