Scouting PhD students for the Quantum ICTP-SAIFR hub in Sao Paulo
We are scouting strongly motivated students to join the Q-ManBo team led by Dr. Dario Rosa (https://sites.google.com/view/qmanbo) at the ICTP-SAIFR in São Paulo Brazil, for a Ph.D. position joint with the NEUQUAM team led by Dr. Jamir Marino (https://sites.google.com/view/nequantumuniv) at the SUNY in Buffalo, USA.
This Ph.D. opportunity is the result of an initiative, called Quantum SAIFR (https://sites.google.com/view/quantum-saifr), whose aim is to exchange scholars, ideas, and expertises between the two research units. Our scholars and team members are itinerant between the two locations and get exposed to a variety of scientific approaches and academic environments.
We are a group of researchers working on emergent phenomena in non-equilibrium physics, encompassing quantum thermalization and chaos, ergodicity breaking (including, but not limited to, many-body localization and quantum many-body scars), driven-dissipative universality, emergent phenomena in quantum information, and outreach to quantum thermodynamics.
Our focus is both on foundational theory models and applications to state-of-art platforms in AMO and non-equilibrium solid state physics.
ICTP-SAIFR (https://www.ictp-saifr.org/) has an established tradition of being a major hub for theoretical physics in the entire South American region: every year it hosts around 25 — 30 international events, ranging from Ph.D. schools to workshops and thematic programs, on all areas of theoretical physics, with a volume of more than 100 international visitors. São Paulo is the cultural capital of Brazil, with a vibrant and international atmosphere. Buffalo is located in a region celebrated for its stunning architecture and breathtaking natural landmarks, including Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes.
What we offer:
-- A fully funded PhD position, with the possibility to apply to extra funding via the local funding agency (FAPESP).
-- A joint supervision between the São Paulo unit and the Buffalo unit, with the possibility of spending up to 25% of the total time in SUNY Buffalo.
-- A direct involvement in the organization of 2 -- 3 scientific events per year, with the possibility of presenting research results to internationally recognized audiences
-- An exposure to an internationally established network: our research activity is in synergy with several international teams located in Europe (Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, Ireland), UK, US, Africa, and South Korea.
The duration of the scholarship is 4 years for the PhD program, which can be extended up to 6 years for the combined Master’s + PhD program.
We welcome students from diverse scientific backgrounds and strongly encourage them to reach out and apply. Our teams thrive on fruitful internal collaborations, and a shared dedication to excellence in research. We foster students committed to growth toward independence and excellence over the course of their PhD. Participation in numerous international collaborations is expected.
Interested scholars should send the following material at the email address quantumictpsaifr@gmail.com:
1) curriculum vitae;
2) transcript of records of bachelor and master studies, with marks for each of the classes attended (notice that a master degree is not a requirement to join the PhD program, and a combined Master + PhD program can be discussed);
3) names and e-mail contacts of 1-2 senior scientists who can vouch for your academic journey and achievements (please, do not ask to send recommendation letters at this time).
Applications recevived earlier than December the 22, 2025, will receive full consideration. Interviews will start in the second half of January 2026. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered, until suitable candidates are scouted