Postdoctoral Research Associate – Foundational Answers Project
FQxI is seeking Postdoctoral Research Associates for the Foundational Answers project.
Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate
Organization: Foundational Questions Institute (FQxI)
Location: Remote (global applicants welcome)
Position Type: Full-time (80% time on project; 20% for personal research)
Salary Range: ~$50,000 – $70,000 USD per year, commensurate with experience.
Start Date: Flexible before October 2026
Application Timeline: Assessment of applications will begin on November 24, 2025
Position Overview
The Foundational Questions Institute (FQxI) invites applications for up to five one-year Postdoctoral Research Associates to join the Foundational Answers project. This is an ambitious collaborative initiative aimed at producing synthetic reviews of central open questions in fundamental physics and cosmology. Successful candidates will be expected to spend the majority of their time (80%) on these efforts, with the remainder for personal projects. This is a remote position with flexible working arrangements and institutional support.
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will report to FQxI’s Chief Scientific Officer and collaborate with other members of the Foundational Answers project team. The successful candidate will contribute substantially to the creation of synthetic reviews that map existing research, clarify conceptual tensions, and identify promising directions for future work—on at least two of the following topics:
- Arrow of Time
- Foundations of Statistical Mechanics
- Multiverses
- The Physics of Information
- The Foundations of Cosmology
- (Physical) Theory Building
- Foundations of Quantum Gravity
- Determinism
- Agency in the physical world
- Quantum foundations
arrow
arrow
arrow
arrow
About FQxI
The Foundational Questions Institute (FQxI), www.fqxi.org, supports cutting-edge, rigorous research into the deep, open questions at the heart of physics and cosmology. From the nature of time and quantum reality to the foundations of spacetime and emergence, FQxI fosters an intellectually adventurous community exploring the frontiers of science and philosophy.
Why Join FQxI?
Working with FQxI offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with the deepest unsolved questions in physics and cosmology. The Institute’s open, interdisciplinary environment provides freedom to explore unconventional ideas while benefiting from a supportive international community of leading researchers. FQxI’s flexible structure and collaborative ethos make it an ideal home for creative scholars who thrive on intellectual exploration and synthesis.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and produce integrative analyses.
Synthesize diverse perspectives across disciplines.
Identify conceptual gaps and propose new research avenues.
Collaborate closely with other researchers contributing to the Foundational Answers project.
Report progress and findings to the Chief Scientific Officer and the project coordination team.
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in Physics, Cosmology, Philosophy of Science, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the listed topics.
Strong writing, analytical, and conceptual synthesis skills.
Experience producing review-style or interdisciplinary scholarly work is highly desirable.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment.
To Apply
Apply via our web form below.
The following documents must be submitted:
- CV.
- A cover letter describing research interests and fit for the position.
- A writing sample (published or unpublished).
- Contact information for at least two references
Informal enquiries may be sent to postdoc@fqxi.org. Note that any applications sent directly to this address will not be considered.