Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh - Kings Buildings +1 more
Hybrid

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for early-career researchers in gravitational physics who collaborate on theoretical projects and seek a fixed-term research role in Edinburgh.

Best fit for

  • Early-career researchers with expertise in gravitational physics and scattering amplitudes
    — “Research activities will be oriented towards scattering amplitudes in gravitational physics”
  • Candidates with a collaborative mindset and interest in working with a team of leading physicists
    — “working with Tim Adamo, Anton Ilderton, Donal O’Connell, Mao Zeng and the wider group”
  • Individuals seeking a fixed-term, full-time research role with potential for hybrid work
    — “This post is full-time (35 hours per week). We are open to considering requests for hybrid working”

Things to consider

  • Fixed-term commitment spans three years with no indication of extension
    — “Fixed Term: 3 years October 1, 2027 – September 30, 2030”
  • Hybrid work is possible but not guaranteed and is non-contractual
    — “We are open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis)”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in gravitational wave research or cosmology in your research statement
    — “motivated by gravitational waves, cosmology, and formal theory”
  • Emphasize your ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive research environment
    — “We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from people of colour, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and other minority and under-represented groups”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • contributions to the STFC Consolidated Grant
  • publications in peer-reviewed journals
Typical background
PhD in Physicspostdoctoral experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Research In Gravitational PhysicsScattering AmplitudesTheoretical Physics

Preferred

Particle TheoryFormal Theory

Stack & domain

Particle TheoryScattering Amplitudes In Gravitational PhysicsGravitational WavesCosmologyFormal TheoryResearchCollaborationProblem SolvingCommunicationTeamworkPhysicsUniversity

About the role

Original posting from University of Edinburgh

Grade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum

College of Science and Engineering/ School of Physics and Astronomy

Full Time: 35 hours per week 

Fixed Term: 3 years October 1, 2027 – September 30, 2030 

The Opportunity: 

Together we can do great things. Be part of something bigger. 

The University isn’t just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices. 

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students performance and wellbeing.

This position will contribute to the STFC Consolidated Grant UKRI4228 ‘Particle Theory at the Higgs Centre’. Research activities will be oriented towards scattering amplitudes in gravitational physics, motivated by gravitational waves, cosmology, and formal theory, working with Tim Adamo, Anton Ilderton, Donal O’Connell, Mao Zeng and the wider group. This post is full-time (35 hours per week). 

This post is full time 35 hours per week. We are open to considering requests for hybrid working  (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

Please view the full Job Description 

How to apply 

Applications should be submitted before the deadline of 11:59pm UK time on 27 November 2026. Please upload a CV and a brief research statement (strictly less than 3 pages including references) and provide the names and contact details of at least two referees. The referees will be approached for letters after the long-listing process.  

Address any enquiries regarding the position to Tim Adamo (t.adamo@ed.ac.uk), Anton Ilderton (anton.ilderton@ed.ac.uk), Donal O’Connell (donal@ed.ac.uk) or Mao Zeng (mao.zeng@ed.ac.uk). 

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:  

A competitive salary.  An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.  To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community. Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.   

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion 

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.  

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from people of colour, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and other minority and under-represented groups. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages(opens new browser tab). 

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant. 

Key dates to note 

The closing date for applications is 27 November 2026. 

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone. Interviews will be held after the closing date. 

Interview dates to be confirmed.

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.

Source: University of Edinburgh careers

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