Antoine Dierckx

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Bio

I am a PhD Candidate in theoretical physics based at the Instituto de Estructura de la Materia (IEM-CSIC) in Madrid. My research lies at the intersection of loop quantum gravity, numerics, and early universe cosmology.

  • Supervisor: Dr. Francesca Vidotto (IEM-CSIC)
  • Academic Tutor: Prof. Juan García-Bellido (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid / IFT)

Core Research

My current research focuses on answering open questions in early-universe cosmology using non-perturbative quantum gravity. I mainly look at Primordial Black Holes within Loop Quantum Gravity, especially how black holes might transition into white holes, how quantum effects resolve singularities, and whether stable Planck-sized remnants could explain dark matter.

Alongside this, I work on numerical tools to compute Lorentzian spinfoam amplitudes. The goal of this work is to help develop Spinfoam Cosmology by building practical ways to connect quantum transition amplitudes with effective geometries and early-universe models.

Education

PhD in Theoretical Physics | Dec 2025 – Present
IEM (CSIC) / IFT - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain

Master in Physics (magna cum laude) | Sep 2023 – Jun 2025
Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

Bachelor in Physics (cum laude) | Sep 2020 – Jun 2023
Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

Research Experience

Visiting Graduate Researcher | Sep 2024 – Jun 2025
Western University (CA) & ULB (BE) Studied PBH phenomenology in Loop Quantum Gravity. Modeled PBH remnants and evaporation to derive observational constraints.

CERN Summer Student | Jul 2024 – Aug 2024
Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS), Geneva, CH Developed Graph Neural Networks for VBF tagging; analyzed algorithm stability for the \(H~\rightarrow~\mathrm{invisible}\) channel.

Research Intern | Jan 2023 – Apr 2023
Interuniversity Institute for High Energies (IIHE), BE Analyzed scalar-boson production in pp collisions using CMS data at \(\sqrt{s}=13\,\mathrm{TeV}\).

Group & Consortium Affiliations

My PhD project is part of a larger international network, and I also participate in a couple of European research actions:

  • WithOut SpaceTime (WOST): An international network of 15 groups exploring physics beyond classical space and time. My PhD research is based in the Madrid hub.
  • COST Action CA23130 (BridgeQG): Bridging high and low energies in search of quantum gravity. Member of WG1: High-energy quantum gravity theory, and WG2: High-energy quantum gravity experiment.
  • COST Action CA23115 (RQI): Relativistic Quantum Information. Member of WG2: Gravitational quantum physics and metrology, and WG3: Time, causality, and memory in quantum physics.

Advanced Training & Schools

Technical Skills

Programming & Tools: Python • Wolfram Mathematica • ROOT • LaTeX
Languages: French (Native) • English (Fluent)