Cognia Junior Fellows

Background

Whereas the 20th century saw peak progress in reductionist science, the 21st will witness radical advances in our understanding of collective phenomena. Three fields stand out: life, learning and emergence.

Topics of interest for these positions include, but are not limited to: AI-assisted discovery in theoretical physics. • Statistical physics of evolutionary dynamics. • Exactly solvable models of genetic computation. • Combinatorial design, innovation and evolution. • AI-assisted conjecture formation in mathematics. • Simplicity bias in input-output maps as a basis for AI. • A mathematical understanding of simple models of ageing. • A thermodynamic basis for the origin of life and artificial life.

Funded by Cognia AI, our programme of Cognia Junior Fellows and Cognia Visitors will be a shared voyage to the frontiers of knowledge to gain new insights into the most pressing problems of our time.

Job

The positions last for two years, potentially longer for candidates willing to start soon. Salaries begin at £45,000, depending on experience. Cognia Junior Fellows will work in our rooms in the Royal Institution and collaborate with members of the London Institute—we do not work from home.

Candidate

Candidates should have the potential to become outstanding theorists of global standing. They will have completed their PhD in theoretical physics or mathematics in the last several years, or be in the final year of it. Relevant backgrounds include statistical physics, condensed matter theory, mathematical biology and the foundations of AI.

We do not assess candidates on intellectual merit alone. We also consider culture fit—the extent to which candidates align with our core values. In particular, we are on the lookout for people who are sociable, relentless, team players, detail-oriented, curious about others, capable of leadership, committed to showing up for work, and willing to act as London Institute ambassadors.

Activities

Conduct research in theoretical aspects of life, learning and emergence, and publish it in leading journals. • Work with our science writers to publicise our discoveries on our website and in the press. • Work with our staff to help organise events, raise funds, recruit members and boost the Institute’s profile. • Take an interest in the research and goals of other members and help to make the Institute superadditive. • Socialise with our scientists, staff and visitors at our weekly drinks and regular events.

London Institute

The London Institute for Mathematical Sciences is Britain’s only independent research organisation in physics and mathematics. Our focus on peak performance and full-time research, and the level of support we offer our scientists, empower them to make the biggest breakthroughs.

The Institute is based inside the Royal Institution in Mayfair, which lays claim to 15 Nobel prizes and the discovery of 10 chemical elements and the principles of electromagnetism.

You can learn more about us at our About, Values and Opinions pages.

Applying

To apply, send a CV to smc@lims.ac.uk with the subject heading “Cognia Junior Fellow”. Strong applicants will be invited for an interview and asked to provide letters of reference.

Unlike universities, we are not tied to the seasonal structure of teaching and recruitment. Instead, we raise money and recruit people fast, especially for rapidly advancing fields like in this programme. Candidates can apply at any time and start as early as the autumn of 2025. To encourage those with ongoing positions to join us sooner rather than later, we will consider increasing the duration of this position to make up for time lost by leaving their current position early.