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Posted on by Marcus Mohring

Research Fellow in GW Astronomy at the University of Portsmouth

We announce a postdoctoral position in Gravitational Wave Astronomy at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation. The successful candidate will work with Prof Laura Nuttall on her Future Leaders Fellowship extension, `Multi-band, Multi-messenger Astrophysics with LIGO, LISA and GOTO’. The position will focus on using Bayesian Inference methods to investigate and develop techniques to overcome gaps, and non-Gaussian and non-stationary detector noise, in the context of searches and inference of source parameters for both LISA and LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to engage in teaching, scholarship, research, innovation, outreach and public engagement as needed in line with the Department, Faculty and University objectives. Application close February 2nd 2026.

This appointment is a fixed-term contract for 24 months, starting or around 1st September 2026.

Whilst there is a need to be in Portsmouth a few days a week, hybrid working is available for this role.

For internal candidates it may be possible to apply for this role under the Secondment Policy . If you wish to apply as a secondee, you must have approval of your line manager in advance of submitting your application form. Please confirm in your application that your line manager has approved this.

If you have any queries regarding this position, please contact Laura Nuttall at laura.nuttall(at)port.ac.uk

Discover the advantages of joining our university. We offer a range of attractive benefits and opportunities to enhance your work experience:

  • Competitive salary, including incremental progression within your scale.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • Generous leave entitlement of 32–35 days a year, plus bank holidays, and an additional Christmas closure.
  • Family-friendly policies supporting flexible working.
  • Staff discounts and loyalty schemes.
  • Staff car parking and discounted public travel.
  • Excellent training and development opportunities.
  • Staff wellbeing programmes.
  • Recreation facilities, including discounted gym membership, food on campus schemes, use of the Library and staff social activities.
  • Discounted learning.
  • Start-up business mentoring from expert entrepreneurs via our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme.
  • The perks don’t stop there – click ‘apply’ for further information on My Reward and Benefits

UKVI Statement

Prior to submitting your application, kindly ensure that you can either demonstrate or acquire the necessary right to work in the UK. If you currently do not possess the right to work in the UK, please be aware that our offer of employment is conditional upon you obtaining it.

ED&I Statement:

We are committed to upholding the University’s values of being ambitious, open and responsible, in an inclusive working environment that promotes dignity and respect.

Please note that this vacancy may be closed earlier than advertised, so early applications are advised.

Further information

The ICG consists of 20 academic staff, around 20 postdoctoral researchers, 6 research software engineers, 3 outreach and public engagement fellows, around 30 PhD students, and has an active international visitor programme. Portsmouth has major involvement in the Dark Energy Survey (DES),  the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), the Vera Rubin Observatory, ESA’s Euclid satellite mission, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the Gravitational Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO), and other international collaborations. The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet) and hosts the 4704-core SCIAMA supercomputer. More information is available at http://www.icg.port.ac.uk/

Guidance for application

If you do not currently have Right to Work (RTW) in the UK, the University will support you to obtain the necessary VISA. If you are eligible for a Skilled Worker visa or a Global Talent Visa the University will support you with the required supporting documents.

Please note the following details will need to be submitted when applying to this role.

Please upload the following via page 8 of the application through the recruitment system (in PDF format, either together in one PDF, or in separate PDFs) :

  • Research Statement, not longer than 3 pages
  • CV
  • Publication list

 Please submit the following directly to the department:

  • Three letters of recommendation to be sent by email to icg-recruitment(at)port.ac.uk to arrive by the closing date.

Please find here full details.