Research Associate in Cosmology
School of Physics and Astronomy
The cosmology group at Cardiff University led by Prof. Erminia Calabrese and Dr Ian Harrison is seeking applications to fill the position of Postdoctoral Research Associate in cosmology.
The research associate will work on characterization and interpretation of state-of-the-art Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) data from the Simons Observatory and on the design of the LiteBIRD mission. We are seeking researchers with an established track record in characterization and cosmological exploitation of CMB data or microwave sky simulations, and in the statistical modelling required at likelihood level.
The research associate will work across the Cardiff Astronomy https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/research/research-groups/astronomy and Astronomy Instrumentation https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/research/research-groups/astronomy-instrumentation groups.
Other members of the astronomy and instrumentation groups play leading roles in the search for signals from gamma-ray bursts, modelling and detecting gravitational waves, supernovae, cosmic dust, star formation and building the next generation ground and space-based telescopes.
This post is full-time and fixed-term for 2 years, available from November 2026.
A completed, or near to completion, PhD in Physics, Cosmology, Astrophysics, Astronomy or closely related area is required.
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6)
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs/what-we-can-offer/financial-benefits/pay-scales
For informal enquiries about the post please contact Prof. Erminia Calabrese ([email protected]) or Dr Ian Harrison ([email protected])
For informal enquiries about working at Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy please contact [email protected]
Date advert posted: Monday, 1 June 2026
Closing date: Monday, 29 June 2026
IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (ID-227) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.
When attaching the supporting statement to your application, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance ID-227.
Cardiff University and the School of Physics and Astronomy are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity. Our inclusive environment welcomes applications from talented people from diverse backgrounds. We strongly welcome female applicants and those from any ethnic minority group, as they are underrepresented in our School. The School of Physics & Astronomy has a Juno Champion accreditation and an Athena SWAN Silver award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women and other minorities working in science. The University is committed to ensuring that we sustain a positive working environment for all staff to flourish and achieve. As part of this commitment, the University has developed a flexible and responsive framework of procedures to support staff in managing their work and personal commitments wherever possible. Applications are welcome from individuals who wish to work part-time or full time.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.