The Instituto de Física Teórica (IFT, Madrid, Spain) invites applications for a PhD position (predoctoral contract) in gravitational-wave data analysis, funded through the FPI-UAM 2026 program. Please note that the application period is short, with a deadline of September 27th, 2026. The position is funded until the successful completion of the PhD, for a maximum duration of four years.
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Physics. The degree must be obtained before the start date of the contract, in accordance with Spanish regulations governing predoctoral positions.
The project aims to develop and apply novel data-analysis techniques to search for new physics using gravitational-wave observations. The successful candidate will contribute to gravitational-wave science within the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) Collaboration and help prepare for future observations with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). The project combines advanced computational methods, statistics, gravitational-wave astronomy, cosmology, and potentially machine-learning techniques.
The research will be carried out within the Cosmology Group at the Instituto de Física Teórica (IFT) (https://projects.ift.uam-csic.es/cosmo/). The group includes researchers with broad expertise in gravitational-wave science and cosmology, including Juan García-Bellido, Sachiko Kuroyanagi, Savvas Nesseris, Matteo Fasiello, Yashar Akrami, and Miguel Zumalacárregui. Potential scientific targets include primordial black holes (PBHs) formed in the early Universe, as well as other signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model and the standard cosmological paradigm.
The successful candidate will join the Cosmology Group at IFT and work primarily with Juan García-Bellido and Sachiko Kuroyanagi (co-supervisor), while benefiting from collaborations with other members of the group. The project offers an opportunity to develop novel data-analysis techniques and apply them to real and simulated data from current and future gravitational-wave observatories through participation in the LVK Collaboration and/or the LISA Consortium.
To apply, please submit
- Academic transcripts (grades from both the BSc (grado) and Master’s degree).
[Note that a threshold of 7.5/10 (for grado) is required for the application.] - A CV, including a short summary of previous research activities and future research interests
- A list of publications
- Two recommendation letters to be sent by referees (please provide their names)
Applications should be sent by email to juan.garciabellido(at)gmail.com with the subject line:
[Application FPI-UAM] FIRSTNAME SURNAME
All application materials must be submitted by September 7th, 2026 (Monday).
For questions regarding the position, please contact juan.garciabellido(at)gmail.com
IFT is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women and members of underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Please find here full details.