Jonah Kudler-Flam

I am a theoretical physicist and currently a Marvin L. Goldberger Member at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ. I was previously a postdoctoral fellow at the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science. I received my Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago, where I worked under the guidance of Shinsei Ryu.

My research focuses on quantum many-body systems, quantum field theory, and quantum gravity. I use tools from quantum information theory to explore two closely connected questions:

1. What is the quantum structure of spacetime, particularly in the contexts of black holes and the early universe?
2. How does thermal physics emerge from underlying quantum degrees of freedom and chaotic dynamics?

The surprising connection between these seemingly disparate research areas has always captivated me and continues to inspire my work. I talk about this connection in more detail on The Postdoc Path Podcast and in much greater depth in my publications.
If you’re a student interested in theoretical physics, I’m always happy to chat—please feel free to reach out to me at jkudlerflam@ias.edu.

Beyond research, I’m passionate about teaching and mentorship. Since 2023, I’ve been volunteering with Princeton University’s Prison Teaching Initiative, teaching undergraduate courses to incarcerated students across New Jersey. If you’re interested in getting involved, you can learn more here—or contact me if you’d like to hear more about my experience.