The School of Physics at UNSW Sydney has two openings for PhD positions in Theoretical Cosmology.
The successful PhD candidates will work under the supervision of Dr. Ema Dimastrogiovanni on topics in theoretical cosmology, including primordial gravitational waves, inflation, reheating and cosmic microwave background physics.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and a curriculum vitae, and arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to the same email address. Applicants must also provide evidence of English ability that meets the UNSW English language requirements (see https://www.unsw.edu.au/english-requirements-policy).

The internal selection deadline for application and recommendation letters is April 22.

The Department of Mathematics at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) is seeking an outstanding, highly motivated PhD candidate to work on a project in geometric analysis and mathematical general relativity. In particular, you will consider (weak) solutions of the Einstein equations and their global geometry. The position is part of a larger research programme and associated with Dr. Annegret Burtscher. You should hold an MSc in Mathematics (or a related discipline with a strong mathematical component) by the starting date. Applications from candidates with a suitable background in analysis, differential geometry and/or general relativity are particularly welcome. Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential.

The duration of the contract is 4 years and includes a light teaching load. Upon successful completion you will be awarded a PhD from Radboud University. You will be encouraged to attend and contribute to international scientific meetings.

The Department of Mathematics is part of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP). IMAPP has a friendly and open atmosphere, and a strong expertise in mathematical physics and analysis.

Please submit your application by April 14, 2019 through the online form on the webpage and include a letter of motivation, a CV, a transcript of records, an abstract of your Master’s thesis (if applicable) and contact details of two academic reference writers: https://www.ru.nl/werken/details/details_vacature_0/?recid=601898

We encourage applications from underrepresented groups in STEM. The starting date of the position is expected in August 2019, but negotiable.

Interviews are likely to be held in April 2019, but applications will be considered until the position is filled.

For additional information:
Dr. Annegret Burtscher, burtscher[AT]math.ru.nl
IMAPP, https://www.ru.nl/imapp

The LESIA department of Paris Observatory is strongly involved in the GRAVITY project, aiming at observing the surroundings of the Galactic center black hole Sgr A* with exquisite astrometric precision by means of combining the infrared light collected by the 4 unit telescopes at the Very Large Telescope. The main scientific goal of this instrument is to explain the flares of Sgr A*, these bursts of radiation frequently observed in the vicinity of Sgr A*. Flares are certainly a perfect probe of the extreme astrophysics that takes place close to supermassive black holes, and might also be used as a probe of the strong curvature of spacetime close to Sgr A*.

The GRAVITY team at LESIA is offering a PhD position for working on the development of models of Sgr A* flares that will be used for interpreting the current and near-future GRAVITY data. All details on the topic and how to apply can be found at this URL: http://www.adum.fr/as/ed/voirproposition.pl?langue=fr&site=aaif&matricule_prop=23606

Note that funding of this PhD topic is not yet secured, and depends on the quality of the candidates. The final choice depends on the Paris Doctoral School for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Deadline for application is April 26th 2019.

Cosmology models the behaviour of our universe in terms of a small set of descriptive variables; the scale factor, Hubble parameter, relative shear expansions etc. From Einstein’s equations, we can calculate the equations of motion of these systems and find their evolution. The complete behaviour can be described in terms of dynamical systems arising from a Hamiltonian and expressed as a flow on phase space. All these descriptions rely upon factors which cannot be explicitly measured by an observer within the universe at all times. In recent work, I have shown that under certain conditions these can be extended beyond the initial singularity. One key aspect of your project will be to examine the nature of singularities in relational systems.

The goal of this project will be to develop a complete description of cosmological systems which relies only upon relational measurements and find their cosmological completions. You will develop skills in differential geometry (particularly symplectic geometry) and numerical methods alongside a strong understanding of physical systems. You will gain significant insight into the nature of singularities in general relativity and the geometry of mathematical physics.

The Physics Department is the holder of an Athena SWAN Silver award and JUNO Championship status and is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

The PhD starting date is 1 October 2019. Funding is for 3.5 years and is available to citizens of the UK and the European Union.

SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, Italy) invites applications for several PhD positions in astrophysics, cosmology and astroparticle physics. Application may be submitted here

https://www.sissa.it/bandi/concorso-lammissione-ai-corsi-di-phd-della-sissa-lanno-accademico-201920-announcements

See also announcement here: https://www.sissa.it/system/files/bandi/Bando%20English%20201920%20general%20.pdf

Candidates interested in the astrophysics of LISA and pulsar timing arrays, in LISA data analysis, and more generally in gravitational wave physics are especially encouraged to apply for the ***Astroparticle physics*** positions. The deadline for applications is March 12, with oral and written exams on March 25-26, 2019.

The numerical relativity group at the University of Jena invites applications for a PhD position starting in April 2019.

The position is associated with the research group of Prof. Bernd Bruegmann at the Theoretical Physics Institute. It is part of the recent research initiative of the Michael Stifel Center Jena (MSCJ) for Digitization in the Sciences. The candidate is expected to work on the topic of “Deep Learning for Gravitational Wave Data Analysis”. There is the opportunity to participate in a wide range of research activities. Candidates with a background in gravitational wave science or associated computational and mathematical methods including machine learning are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a strong background in at least one of the above topics, and be strongly motivated to learn the others.

Applications should consist of a single PDF file including: (i) a letter of interest and (ii) a brief CV. Please submit your application per email with Reg.-Nr. 029/2019-P6 as the subject until February 15th, 2019, to
Lisann Schmidt, lisann.schmidt[AT]uni-jena.de

Interviews are likely to be held in February 2019, but applications will be considered until the position is filled.

For additional information:

Theoretical Physics Institute
http://www.tpi.uni-jena.de

Michael Stifel Center Jena for Data-Driven and Simulation Science
http://www.mscj.uni-jena.de/

The High-Energy Astrophysics group of the Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Tuebingen (IAAT) invites applications for a

PhD position (3 years, starting date 01.05.2019)

in the context of indirect dark matter search program performed at the University of Tuebingen.

Within the program, we analyze all-sky searches for a signal from astrophysical decaying / annihilating dark matter in the X-ray and gamma-ray bands. The project is focused on searches of two main dark-matter candidate particles, namely sterile neutrino and massive WIMPs, and includes both, theoretical and data analysis aspects.

The successful candidate is expected to participate in the development of the model of expected emission from decaying/annihilating dark matter. The project also includes the analysis of the data of modern X-ray and gamma-ray satellites (including XMM-Newton and Fermi/LAT) and the interpretation of obtained results.

Applicants are required to have a diploma, master or equivalent university degree in astrophysics or physics.

The position is available starting May, 1st, 2019, a later starting date can be negotiated. The salary is based upon the German federal public service scale (50% of E13 TV-L). The process of hiring the selected candidate is handled by the Central Administration of the University.

The University seeks to raise the number of women in research and teaching and therefore urges qualified women to apply. Severely handicapped persons will be preferentially considered in case of equivalent qualifications.

Please send your application before February, 20th, 2019 together with a CV, copies of diploma, M.A., or related certificates, and the names and email addresses of two references electronically to Prof. Andrea Santangelo (andrea.santangelo[at]uni-tuebingen.de ) and Dr. Denys Malyshev (denys.malyshev[at]astro.uni-tuebingen.de)

GRAPPA, the center of excellence in Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics of the University of Amsterdam has an opening for a PhD position in Gravitational Wave physics in Dr Samaya Nissanke’s group. The group is active in diverse sub-field including multi-messenger astronomy, data analysis, theory, and modeling, and is involved in the Virgo collaboration, the LISA consortium, and 3G science case, and several international electromagnetic follow-up groups. The successful candidate will work primarily on topics in source modeling with Drs. Tanja Hinderer and Samaya Nissanke, with the focus of the projects being open and depending on the candidate’s interests.

Projects can range from theoretical perturbative approaches to relativistic two-body dynamics, waveform modeling through combining information from analytical and numerical relativity, tests of General Relativity, black holes, neutron-star matter, dark matter, exotic objects and physics beyond the standard model, multi-messenger astrophysics and cosmology. The successful applicant will also work in close collaboration with the groups of Dr Philipp Moesta (multimessenger astrophysics), Prof. Daniel Baumann (cosmology), Prof. Gianfranco Bertone (dark matter), and Prof. Anna Watts (neutron stars). We encourage applications from underrepresented groups in STEM.

The University of Bonn, Germany, invites applications for a PhD fellowship in history and philosophy of physics. The position will provide an outstanding early-career scholar with a unique opportunity to pursue research in collaboration with the other members of the new Lichtenberg group in integrated history and philosophy of physics.

The focus of the group during the first five years will be an analysis of the history and conceptual foundations of gravitational physics since Einstein found the field equations of general relativity in 1915; a particular focus will be on black hole physics and gravitational wave physics.

Applications from candidates with a suitable background in philosophy of physics, history of physics or indeed gravitational physics itself, would be particularly welcome.

The newly formed Emmy Noether research group at the University of Tuebingen, is seeking applications for a PhD position starting in Fall 2019. The group is part of the Theoretical Astrophysics section (TAT) at Tuebingen. The research focus of the successful applicant will be on testing strong-field regime of gravity with gravitational waves; models and dynamics of neutron stars and black holes in modified theories of gravity. The position is for three years.

The topic of the Emmy Noether research group is on “Gravitational waves from compact objects – a tool for testing strong gravity and nuclear matter at extreme densities ” with a group leader Dr. Daniela Doneva. In a broader perspective, the activities of TAT group, led by Prof. Kostas Kokkotas, are related to the study of sources of gravitational waves with emphasis on the dynamics of neutron stars and black holes. The TAT group currently consists of four (4) post-doctoral researchers, three (3) PhD students and seven (7) MSc students.

Further information on the Theoretical Astrophysics Group can be found here.

The salary will be paid according to the German public service scale. Applications, including curriculum vitae, list of publications (if any), statement of research interests and experience, and the names (address, e-mail) of two potential referees should be sent via email to

Dr. Daniela Doneva
E-mail: daniela.doneva[AT]uni-tuebingen.de

The deadline for full consideration is February 15th, 2019, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

University of Tuebingen seeks to increase the fraction of female scientists in research and teaching and particularly encourages applications from women. Disabled candidates are given preference if equally qualified.

The Laboratory of Theoretical Physics at the Institute of Physics of the University of Tartu, Estonia is looking for candidates to apply for a 4-year PhD / doctorate position. The topics of interest focus upon extensions to general relativity and modified gravity, including:
— mathematical foundations of gravity,
— modifications to the geometry of spacetime,
— gravity theories based on Finsler, Cartan, Weizenboeck or Riemann-Cartan geometry,
— gravity theories including multiple metrics,
— gravity theories including torsion,
— (multi-)scalar-tensor and related gravity theories,
— phenomenology of modified gravity, including gravitational waves, black holes, galaxies,
— cosmological aspects of modified gravity.
The position depends on external funding and the applications will be processed in two stages. In the first stage, all applications will be reviewed by the gravity research group at the University of Tartu. Then the selected candidates and the University of Tartu will apply for funding. The final decision on the funding will be made by the respective agencies.

The position will be held in conjunction with the Estonian centre of excellence in research “The Dark Side of the Universe” (TK133) and the grants “Gauge gravity: unification, extensions and phenomenology” (PRG356) and Energy conditions and singularities in the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity (MOBJD423), and aligned with the “Cosmology and Astrophysics Network for Theoretical Advances and Training Actions” (CANTATA).

The PhD position is supported with a scholarship of 1100 EUR per month. The supervisor of the PhD position will be Tomi Koivisto. Applicants must have a masters degree or equivalent. Applications for the postdoctoral position must include:
— curriculum vitae,
— diploma of masters degree or equivalent,
— summary of research experience and a statement of interests up to two pages,
— one letter of recommendation (to be sent separately).

The deadline for the PhD application is Monday, 15. January 2019, 05:59 GMT.

All applications for the aforementioned position must be submitted electronically via the form on the linked homepage. All documents from the applicant, except for the recommendation letters, must be combined into a single PDF file of at most 8 MB size. The recommendation letters must be uploaded separately, and also in the PDF format.

The Theoretical Astrophysics section (TAT) at the University of Tuebingen has an opening for one PhD position starting from 1st of October 2019.

The successful applicant will carry out original research focusing on the dynamics of rotating and/or magnetized neutron stars in relation to the emission of gravitational waves.

The position is for three years. The salary will be paid according to the German public service scale. The research activities of TAT are related to the study of sources of gravitational waves with emphasis on the dynamics of neutron stars and black holes. The group currently consists of four (4) post-doctoral researchers, three (3) PhD students and seven (7) MSc students.

PhD positions in “Extreme Gravity and Matter” at AEI-Potsdam

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI) in Potsdam, Germany, announces the opening of several PhD positions in “Extreme Gravity and Matter”.

Successful candidates will pursue research in the “Astrophysical and Cosmological Relativity” division, led by Alessandra Buonanno, and the newly established “Computational Relativistic Astrophysics” division, led by Masaru Shibata. Currently the two divisions are composed of about 30-35 scientists, including group leaders, Jonathan Gair (as of Spring 2019), Kenta Kiuchi (as of January 2019) and Harald Pfeiffer, about 22 postdoctoral scholars and 6 graduate students. The divisions also host several long and short-term visitors

Given the breadth of research in those divisions, PhD theses will cover a variety of topics in gravitational-wave astrophysics and fundamental physics, such as: i) theoretical gravitational dynamics and radiation (within post-Newtonian theory, post-Minkowskian theory, gravitational self-force, black-hole perturbation theory, and effective-one-body theory), ii) compact-object binary simulations, iii) waveform modelling at the interface between analytical and numerical relativity, iv) gravitational-wave observations and astrostatistics, v) cosmological and astrophysical interpretation of gravitational waves, vi) tests of General Relativity, vii) neutron star mergers and high-energy astrophysics, viii) neutron-star equation of state, ix) formation of compact objects, and x) multi-messenger astronomy.

The two divisions have close partnerships with the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland and the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics at Kyoto University. Members of the groups have the opportunity to join the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the LISA Consortium through Buonanno’s membership, and also participate to build the science case for third generation (3G) ground-based detectors (Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer).

The two research divisions at the AEI operate three high-performance computer clusters to carry out source modeling and data-analysis studies, and to run numerical-relativity simulations of binary black holes, compact objects with matter, and the core collapse of massive stars.

Successful applicants will conduct their research projects at the AEI in Potsdam, and they will have to enrol and receive their PhD degree from either the University of Potsdam or the Humboldt University in Berlin. The expected duration of the PhD program is three years, and can be extended to four years in cases of exception. Applicants are required to have a Masters degree by the start of the PhD program.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline for full consideration is January 14th , 2018. Applications will be considered until all positions are filled.

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

The Gravitational Waves research group at Nikhef, the National Institute for Subatomic Physics, invites applications for a PhD position in gravitational wave data analysis and phenomenology, covering all aspects of strong-field gravity, with an emphasis on studying gravitational wave signals from coalescing binary neutron stars and black holes. The data analysis effort is led by Prof. Dr. C. Van Den Broeck; it currently involves 3 postdocs and 3 PhD students. In addition to data analysts, Nikhef’s gravitational physics division (led by Prof. Dr. F. Linde) and its collaborators in the Netherlands consists of astronomers and astrophysicists, theorists, and instrumentalists, including a significant number of junior scientists. There is also vibrant collaboration with individuals and groups around the world.

The successful candidate will have a strong physics and/or astrophysics background, evidenced by course grades. An MSc degree (or equivalent) in the above field(s) is required. A basic knowledge of general relativity and experience in programming (e.g. Python and/or C) are desirable.

The successful candidate will be employed by the NWO-I foundation and will obtain the status of junior scientist. He/she will receive a 4 year contract, with a competitive salary. The conditions of employment of the NWO-I foundation are excellent; they can be found on the website of the employer: www.nwo-i.nl.

The educational programme of the Dutch research school for subatomic physics offers annual graduate schools for PhD students, as well as frequent series of lectures on advanced topics in (astro)particle physics.

For more information, feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Chris Van Den Broeck (vdbroeck[AT]nikhef.nl).

The high energy astrophysics group at Fudan University (Shanghai, China) has a few PhD positions for the next academic year (starting in September 2019). The successful candidates must have a Master degree in Physics or in a related area before September 2019. Courses and research are conducted in English. The PhD program normally lasts for 3 years, but it can be extended to 4-5 years.

We are looking for candidates interested in working on:
1) X-ray data analysis of black holes
2) Astrophysical codes (fortran, C/C++, python)

The group is led by Prof. Cosimo Bambi and currently consists of 2 postdoctoral researchers and several graduate and undergraduate students. More details can be found on the group webpage.

Interested candidates should send their CV (including, among other things, date of birth and nationality) and a short statement of research interests and/or experience to:

Prof. Cosimo Bambi
E-mail: bambi[AT]fudan.edu.cn

Please arrange also at least 2 recommendation letters to be sent separately to the same email address.

Applications received by November 30 will receive full consideration.

Applications are invited for a PhD position in the Quantum Gravity group at the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP) of the Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Dr. Timothy Budd and will be funded as part of the NWO START-UP project “New routes towards quantum gravity in the ultraviolet”, which aims at the study of spacetime geometry at the smallest of scales with the help of the latest mathematical techniques and numerical methods. The Quantum Gravity group, consisting of three full-time and two part-time faculty and several postdocs and PhD students, provides an active and stimulating environment for fundamental research in the quantum aspects of spacetime and gravity.

Applicants must have a university degree in physics or mathematics at the masters level or equivalent, with proven abilities in theoretical physics and interests in quantum gravity. Affinity in any of the following topics is considered an advantage but not essential: computer simulations and Monte Carlo methods, statistical physics and critical phenomena, probability and stochastic processes, enumerative combinatorics.

The PhD position is for four years, which is the expected time for obtaining a doctoral degree in the Netherlands, and is subject to review after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the collective labour agreement (CAO) of the Dutch universities. Starting date of the position is to be agreed upon.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled, but those received by October 16th, 2018 are guaranteed full consideration. To apply the following documents should be sent electronically in pdf-format to T. Budd (T.Budd[AT]science.ru.nl): cover letter; CV; transcript of university courses and grades; (brief) statement of research interests.

We encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, invites applications for a PhD fellowship within the research project “Dynamics in spatially confined Hamiltonian systems” funded by the Polish National Science Centre.

The goal of this project is to advance understanding of propagation of nonlinear waves in spatially confined systems. We are looking for a well motivated student of physics or mathematics with good analytic solving skills.

Applications and inquiries should be sent to prof. Piotr Bizon at bizon[AT]th.if.uj.edu.pl. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2018.

The Gravitational Theory division at the University of Jena anticipates the opening of PhD positions with starting date in fall 2018 / early 2019. The positions are associated with the research group of Prof. Sebastiano Bernuzzi at the Theoretical Physics Institute. There is the opportunity to participate to a wide range of research activities in numerical relativity, gravitational-wave modeling and data analysis or related analytical and computational methods. Applicants with a background in the above areas are especially encouraged to apply. The successful candidates have the opportunity to join the Virgo Collaboration and participate to the LIGO-Virgo gravitational-wave astronomy effort.

For information on the Theoretical Physics Institute visit: https://www.tpi.uni-jena.de/HomePage
For information on the research group visit: http://www.tpi.uni-jena.de/~bernuzzi

Applications sent by June 1, 2018 will receive full consideration; applications after this date are still welcome until the positions are filled. In a situation where two candidates have otherwise equal qualifications, preference will be given to women, minorities, and handicapped applicants.

Please submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae with a list of publications, a brief description of research interests, and a list of potential referees, who may be contacted separately. Please send applications to:

sebastiano.bernuzzi[AT]uni-jena.de
Theoretisch-Physikalisches Institut
Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena
MAX Wien Platz 1
D-07743 Jena, Germany
Office 209

Please use the string “Application for PhD position – SURNAME NAME” in the email subject and use the PDF format for all your files.

The Virgo group at Nikhef has openings for several PhD students in gravitational wave data analysis.

Nikhef is the national institute for subatomic physics in The Netherlands, where approximately 175 physicists and 75 technical staff members work together in an open and international scientific environment. Together they perform excellent theoretical and experimental research in the fields of particle and astroparticle physics. Among the research collaborations Nikhef participates in are the ATLAS, LHCb and ALICE experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the Virgo interferometer in Pisa, the XENON Dark Matter detector in Gran Sasso and the Pierre Auger cosmic rays observatory in Argentina. Nikhef is a collaboration between 5 major Dutch universities and the Nikhef research institute.

The successful candidates will work on the development of novel methods for analysing gravitational wave data from the LIGO and Virgo detectors, with a view on directly probing the structure of compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars. They will be members of the Virgo Collaboration, and will have full access to all Virgo and LIGO data.

A master degree in physics is required, and strong programming skills are highly desirable. The students will be employed by the NWO-I-foundation as junior scientists. They will receive a 4 year contract with a competitive salary. The conditions of employment of the NWO-I-foundation are excellent and can be found on the website of the employer: http://www.nwo-i.nl.

The educational programme of the Dutch research school for subatomic physics offers annual graduate schools for PhD students, as well as frequent series of lectures on advanced topics in (astro)particle physics.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply through the online portal: https://www.nikhef.nl/en/vacancies/. Please be prepared to upload a curriculum vitae and have the email address ready of at least one referee who is willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The deadline for applications is May 15th, 2018.

Further information on these positions can be obtained from Prof. Dr. Chris Van Den Broeck (vdbroeck[AT]nikhef.nl).

PPGCosmo is an international PhD program on Astrophysics, Cosmology and Gravitation that aims to give PhD students the opportunity to develop a successful international scientific career. The research topics range from theoretical to observational aspects of Astrophysics, Cosmology and Gravitation, including participation in collaborations such as LIGO, Euclid, J-PAS and DES. PPGCosmo is a Brazilian program consisting of five institutions from Brazil and four institutions from outside Brazil.

The call for applications for four 4-year PhD positions starting in August 2018 is now open. The student will be supervised by a Professor at a Brazilian institution and co-supervised by a Professor at an institution outside Brazil. For the compulsory postgraduate courses the student will be mainly based in Vitória (Espirito Santo, Brazil). It is expected that the student will have opportunities to visit the other Brazilian participating institutions and the co-supervisor’s non-Brazilian institution.

Please go to http://ppgcosmo.cosmo-ufes.org/home.html for further information.

The Relativity group at the University of Otago, New Zealand invites applications for a PhD position in General Relativity, in particular on the gravitational wave emissions of rotating neutron stars. The position comes with a 3-year scholarship which covers tuition fees as well as an annual stipend of 25000 NZD.

The position is related to a Catalyst:Seeding grant from the Royal Society of New Zealand to J. Frauendiener to work on neutron star mountains and their gravitational wave signals. The project is joint with Prof. Andrew Melatos (University of Melbourne, Australia) and Prof. Susan Scott (Australian National University, Canberra) both members of OzGrav, the Australian Centre of Research Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery.

We are looking for a motivated person with a degree equivalent to MSc or BSc(Hons) in Theoretical or Mathematical Physics. Good mathematical skills are essential. Prior research experience in General Relativity or relativistic astrophysics is desirable.

The starting date of the position is on 1.6.2018. The position will be open until filled.

Please send applications (including CV and certificates) or any enquiries to joergf[AT]maths.otago.ac.nz.

This PhD project is mainly devoted to the study of cosmological inhomogeneities in two different “bounce” scenarios, in which the classical Big Bang singularity is resolved by quantum effects. The first of these scenarios describes the Universe as a “condensate” of a large number of quantum atoms of geometry within the group field theory approach to quantum gravity. The second scenario uses symmetry-reduced models with in which the Universe can make a quantum transition from a contracting to an expanding phase. The project will study cosmological perturbations within these two bounce models, explore potential observational signatures, and focus on the connection to other bounce scenarios and formalisms for quantum cosmology, such as loop quantum cosmology or the no-boundary proposal for quantum cosmology.

The PhD studentship is associated to the Royal Society University Research Fellowship project “Addressing the Big Bang singularity in quantum gravity and quantum cosmology” by Dr Steffen Gielen.

We are looking for an enthusiastic applicant with a first class degree in Theoretical/Mathematical Physics or equivalent (strong mathematical background is essential), preferably at MSc/MMath level, or equivalent non-UK degree. Candidates with a 2:1 degree can be considered in exceptional cases. Prior research experience in quantum cosmology or cosmological perturbation theory would be an advantage, but is not essential.

The studentship is for four years, and covers tuition fees at the Home/EU rate as well as a stipend of currently £14,553 per year.

Starting date can be October 2018 or earlier; the position will be open until filled.
Review of applications will begin shortly, so early application is strongly recommended. Please write to the email address above if you are interested in applying.