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Author: Marcus Mohring

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10th anniversary of the launch of LISA Pathfinder

[December 3rd 2025] Today, we commemorate the tenth anniversary of the launch of the LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission. This milestone was a moment of deep pride for the entire LISA Community and the thousands of people who contributed to this extraordinary feat of engineering and science.

LISA Pathfinder was an extremely successful mission that demonstrated our ability to go above and beyond the key technological requirements for the future LISA mission. LPF successfully measured and controlled the motion of the test masses in space with unprecedented precision, effectively removing one of the main technological risks and paving the way for LISA to become reality.

Liftoff of Vega VV06 carrying LISA Pathfinder on 3 December 2015 from Europe’s Spaceport, French Guiana.
Copyright: ESA–Stephane Corvaja, 2015

The success of LPF is a testament to the dedication of its international team. This was a scientifically, technologically, and organizationally demanding project whose success created the essential conditions that now enable us to realize the revolutionary potential of LISA.

We are now half way between the launch of LPF and the nominal launch date of the LISA. Looking to the next decade one of our key responsibilities is to ensure the knowledge and expertise developed through the LPF project are passed on to the next generation of scientists and engineers.

-Prof. Dr. Niels Warburton, University College Dublin and Spokesperson of the LISA Consortium

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Postdoctoral position in GW cosmology at ICG, University of Portsmouth

This postdoctoral position will focus on testing dark energy and modified gravity models with cosmological observations. Two aspects of this are of interest for this position, candidates are welcome via either route:

i) Linking simulations of large-scale structure (LSS) in modified gravity theories to observables relevant to stage IV surveys. Relevant skills include: experience with running and handling outputs from numerical simulations of LSS. Experience constructing emulators. Experience with forecasting and/or data analysis of galaxy clustering and weak lensing observables. Experience with HOD modelling. Other experience in constraining gravity with LSS will be considered.

ii) Testing gravity through the association of gravitational waves (GWs) and galaxies, e.g. dark sirens, GW-galaxy cross-correlation. Relevant skills include: experience with dark sirens software pipelines (e.g. gwcosmo, IcaroGW, CHIMERA…). Experience with GW x LSS cross-correlation computations. Experience with forecasting for 3G GW detectors. Other experience in GW cosmology will be considered.

Application deadline: 02/01/2026

The successful candidate will join the research team of Prof. Tessa Baker, and contribute to the ERC-funded SHADE project. Queries on the post can be directed to tessa.baker@port.ac.uk.

The working pattern for this post is full-time. Whilst there is a need to be in Portsmouth a few days a week, hybrid working is available for this role.

The interviews are currently anticipated to be held on 19 January 2025.

This appointment is a fixed-term contract for 12 months.

Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research proposal for the fellowship) should be submitted by the closing date. Applicants should also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by email to icg-recruitment(at)port.ac.uk, to arrive by the same date.

Please find here full details.

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Postdoc position at University of Padova

University of Padova is very happy to announce one two-year postdoctoral position within a INFN InDark funding at Padova, Focusing on "Primordial Gravitational Waves from Inflation and non-Gaussianity in the Era of Next-Generation Cosmological Missions". The deadline for application is December 15th.

Please find here full details.

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PhD and Postdoc positions in Hannover

Opportunities at Hannover University: a PhD position and a postdoctoral position. The deadline is December 12th.

The successful candidates will be part of my Emmy Noether research group in the ITP, dedicated to “probing the primordial universe with gravitational waves”. Although the project description primarily focuses on cosmic gravitational waves and early universe cosmology, candidates familiar with GW observations, as well as cosmology and particle physics in general, are also welcome to apply.

Within a five-minute walk of the ITP, there is also the Albert Einstein Institute (AEI) in Hannover, doing leading gravitational wave research. Interactions and collaborations between the two groups are encouraged.

You can find the announcements and more information here:

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Faculty positions at the University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham has opened a new round of recruitment at the faculty level: Anniversary Fellows (Assistant/Associate Professor level) and Anniversary Chairs (Full Professor level).

We invite applications from experts in areas relevant to gravitational-wave astronomy, including instrumentation, observations and data analysis, theoretical relativity and astrophysics, multi-messenger astronomy, data science and AI.

The closing date is Sunday 11 January 2026. Details and links to the application portal are available here.

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Assistant Professor Position in Trinity College Dublin

The School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin invites applications for a position at the level of Assistant Professor in the field of observational or theoretical astrophysics. We seek motivated individuals with a strong potential to enhance astrophysics research and teaching at Trinity. Application deadline: January 2nd 2025 at 12:00 (noon) Irish time.

he School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin invites applications for a position at the level of Assistant Professor in the field of observational or theoretical astrophysics. We seek motivated individuals with a strong potential to enhance astrophysics research and teaching at Trinity.

Trinity astrophysicists conduct world-leading observational and theoretical research in areas including exoplanets, brown dwarfs, planet formation, exocomets, supernovae, transients, and pulsars. They have access to European Southern Observatory (ESO) facilities, such as ALMA, the VLT, and 4MOST, as well as European Space Agency (ESA) missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope. Trinity also operates I-LOFAR, a state-of-the-art radio telescope located at Trinity’s Rosse Observatory in Birr Castle, Co. Offaly. In addition, researchers benefit from access to high-performance computing facilities, including the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) national supercomputers and the Trinity Centre for High Performance Computing (TCHPC) clusters, which enable large-scale simulations, advanced data analysis, and machine-learning approaches to astrophysical problems.

The post-holder will work with other academic staff, researchers, and students in the lively, collaborative, and international research environment of the Astrophysics Group and the School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin. Trinity’s main campus is located in the heart of Dublin, which also hosts several other astrophysics research institutes that actively collaborate with Trinity astrophysicists.

Post Status Tenure Track – This position is Tenure Track position which is 5-years in the first instance, permanency is subject to satisfying the tenure requirements.

Salary: Appointment will be made on the Assistant Professor (109BN) commensurate with qualifications / experience and in line with Public Sector Pay Policy [€42,925 to €102,556 per annum] https://www.tcd.ie/hr/assets/pdf/monthly-academic.pdf

How to Apply:  Applicants should provide the following information when applying for the position.

  1. A comprehensive curriculum vitae, including a full list of publications
  2. The names and contact details of three academic referees
  3. A research plan (summarising experience and research to be carried out in the next four years) – 2 pages
  4. A teaching statement (summarising teaching experience and approach) – 1 page
  5. 2 significant publications and why/how these publications represent the candidates research and illustrate their scholarship in observational or theoretical astrophysics (150-300 words)
  6. PLEASE NOTE – If there is an issue uploading 5 seperate documents please combine the research and teaching plan into 1 document

Notes:

  • Candidates who do not address the application requirements above in their cover letter will not be considered at the short list stage.
  • Candidates should note that the interview process for this appointment may include the delivery of a presentation.

Closing Date: 12 noon (Irish Standard Time) 2nd January 2026 Application will only be accepted by applying online through the Trinity Jobs Portal http://jobs.tcd.ie Applications must be made by the date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system Late Applications will not be accepted.

Please see the Job Description below for this position.

Interviews will take place 6th February 2026

Informal enquiries about this post should be made to: Professor Kate Maguire, Professor in Astrophysics, School of Physics E:  kate.maguire(at)tcd.ie.

Enquires regarding the recruitment process should be made to: Dr Niamh McGoldrick, School Manager, School of Physics E:  niamh.mcgoldrick(at)tcd.ie.

Please find here full details.

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Postdoctoral and Visiting Research Opportunities at Swansea University

The Research Group in Theoretical Cosmology and Gravity at Swansea University (UK) welcomes expressions of interest from highly motivated candidates interested in postdoctoral fellowship opportunities in theoretical cosmology and gravitational-wave physics, broadly defined. We also welcome visiting scientists interested in short- or medium-term research visits and collaborations. We seek creative and ambitious researchers eager to join a vibrant, internationally recognised team working at the frontiers of cosmology and gravity. Applicants should hold (or soon obtain) their own funding or plan to apply for competitive fellowships. Application deadline: December 12th 2025.

Examples include:

Royal Commission 1851 Research Fellowship

https://royalcommission1851.org/fellowships/research-fellowships

(deadline: 13 January 2026)

Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship

https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/early-career-fellowships

(deadline: 19 February 2026)

Daphne Jackson Fellowships

https://daphnejackson.org/about-fellowships

(no fixed deadline)

Our group provides guidance and mentorship during the preparation of fellowship applications, including identifying funding schemes that best match each candidate’s profile.

About the Group

The group—led by Azadeh Maleknejad, Gianmassimo Tasinato, and Ivonne Zavala—works on cutting-edge research in cosmology, gravitational-wave science, and quantum field theory in curved spacetimes. We emphasise connecting theoretical ideas with phenomenology and experiment.

We are part of the Centre for Quantum Fields and Gravity at Swansea University, a hub for research in string theory, QCD, and AI for fundamental physics. The group includes postdoctoral researchers and several PhD students, fostering an international, collaborative, and supportive environment.

We are active members of major international collaborations, including:

Einstein Telescope, LISA, NANOGrav, SKA, and Euclid.

Research Areas of Interest

Topics include (but are not limited to):

  • Early-Universe Cosmology & QFT in Curved Spacetimes: quantum origins of the Universe, fundamental interactions, and their observational signatures.
  • Cosmological Gravitational-Wave Backgrounds: theoretical modelling, data analysis, and links to physics beyond the Standard Model.
  • Testing Gravity with Cosmology and GW Observations: using PTA data, LISA, the Einstein Telescope, SKA, and Euclid to probe gravity across scales.
  • Machine Learning for Cosmology: applying AI and ML to reconstruct dark-universe physics from current and future data sets.

Candidate Profile

  • PhD in astrophysics, cosmology, gravitational-wave physics, high-energy physics, or general relativity.
  • Demonstrated ability for independent research and a strong publication record (advantageous for fellowship applications).
  • Strong communication skills and motivation to develop a competitive fellowship proposal.
  • We particularly welcome applications from groups under-represented in physics.

What We Offer

  • Excellent research environment: access to a dynamic research community, mentorship from senior faculty, and participation in world-leading international collaborations (LISA, ET, NANOGrav, etc.).
  • Collaborative atmosphere: regular seminars, group meetings, and opportunities to host visitors and attend international workshops.
  • Quality of life: Swansea offers a beautiful coastal setting, affordable living, and a welcoming academic community supportive of early-career researchers.

Funding and Application Process

  • Candidates are strongly encouraged to identify suitable funding schemes and indicate these in their application.
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
  • Initial review deadline: 12 December 2025.
  • Please send the following documents:
  • cover letter (including intended funding scheme and preferred start date)
  • CV
  • brief research proposal (2 pages)
  • contact details of two referees

Please find here details

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Postdoctoral Associate position in numerical relativity at Cornell

The Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science at Cornell University expects to have an opening for a Postdoctoral Associate in numerical relativity starting in September 2026. The
position requires a Ph.D. and experience in numerical relativity or computational physics. All materials should be received by December 17, 2025.

The Cornell Relativity Group consists of Saul Teukolsky, Eanna
Flanagan, Nils Deppe, Larry Kidder and research associates Mike
Boyle and Will Throwe. There will also be opportunities to interact
with the Theoretical Astrophysics Group, including Rachel Bean,
David Chernoff, Dong Lai, and Ira Wasserman.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a CV (including
list of publications) and a brief (1-3 pages) description
of research interests and should arrange for three letters
of reference to be submitted through Academic Jobs Online at

https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31243

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Tenure-track Faculty Position in Physics at Lamar University


The Department of Physics at Lamar University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position starting September 1, 2026. The appointee is expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and teach effectively across the physics curriculum. Additional responsibilities include service to the department, university, and discipline. The successful candidate will also involve students in research. Preference will be given to candidates with postdoctoral experience and whose research expertise can be leveraged towards Master’s courses in Computational Physics and Data Science. Application deadline: January 5th 2026.

Although the research field is open, LIGO scientists would be a great fit for this position, because of their expertise in computational physics and data analysis, and because Lamar University is relatively close to the LIGO facility in Livingston, Louisiana (3.5 hours by car).

Applicants must have a PhD in physics, an established record of publications in peer-reviewed journals that are listed by the Web of Science, and a strong commitment to excellence in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Applicants must apply online at

https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/lamar/jobs/5104420-0/assistant-professor-physics

Submit a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, a statement of research interests, a statement of teaching interests, and contact information for at least three references. For full consideration, submit your application materials by the initial review date, January 5, 2026.

Inquiries can be sent to directly Dr. Rafael de la Madrid, rafael.delamadrid(at)lamar.edu

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Massive Black Hole Spin Workshop, April 21-24 2026, Edinburgh

Astrophysical black holes can be entirely described by just two properties: their mass and their spin. While masses of black holes have been extensively studied, black hole spin remains poorly understood. This is because spin is both much more difficult to observe and more complex to model. Nevertheless, spin is no less integral to the evolution of massive black holes over time, and the role they play in shaping their host galaxies.

This workshop is a chance to discuss the nature and evolution of massive black hole spin from both an observational and theoretical point of view. It aims to bring together the theoretical and observational communities to advance our collective understanding of black hole spin evolution. In this workshop we will focus on the evolution of the massive black hole spin distribution across cosmic time, as informed by analytic models, numerical simulations as well as multi-frequency and multi-messenger observations.  Theoretical sessions will cover simulations and analytic models, from accretion-disc scale phenomena via the impact of binaries and inspiral on massive black hole spin to a discussion on what we can learn from galaxy scale and cosmological simulations on the spin distribution of massive black holes. Observation-focused sessions will include gravitational waves, X-ray based and interferometry-based spin measurements, and those based on transient events. The goal of this workshop is to bring together theorists and observers to exchange state-of-the-art insights and guide future efforts to maximise the understanding of black hole spin across cosmic time.

Core questions include:

– When and where can we observe massive black hole spin?

– What can we learn about massive black hole spin from current theoretical and numerical efforts on different astrophysical scales?

– What observations do we need most to constrain models?

– Where should modelling efforts be focused to make the most of the existing and upcoming observational missions?

– What do we need to prepare to make the most of upcoming missions?

Confirmed invited speakers so far

  • Matthew Liska
  • Davide Gerosa
  • Filip Husko
  • Margherita Giustini

 ** Please note there is no attendance fee for this workshop**

If you are interested in attending this workshop, please register by clicking on the registration section of this page. We will confirm your registration if your abstract is accepted.

Registration is now open and will close on the 19th of January 2026.

Please be aware of this Travel Scam! 

If you received emails from travellerpoint(dot)org (or another travel company), please be careful. The email asks about arrival and departure dates to Edinburgh and offers a hotel booking form where they ask for credit card details.
Please, ignore the emails and do not reply nor click on any link given by them. You can also block the domain on your email client.
Our official emails are all from this website’s domain “@ed.ac.uk” (usually, sopa.events@ed.ac.uk). Please avoid giving private information to external sources. 

Workshop Website