Postdoctoral Research Associate

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: for 2 years, from October 1^st, 2025 until September 30^th, 2027

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated candidate for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Theoretical Physics, to work on scattering amplitudes for gravitational physics at the Higgs Centre.

The opportunity:

The School of Physics and Astronomy seeks to appoint a strong candidate to a full-time, fixed-term research position to contribute to the STFC Consolidated Grant ST/X000494/1 ‘Particle Theory at the Higgs Centre. Research activities will be oriented towards scattering amplitudes in gravitational physics, working with Tim Adamo, Anton Ilderton, Donal O’Connell, Mao Zeng and the wider group.

The particle theory group at the University of Edinburgh has a very strong ongoing research effort in particle phenomenology, amplitudes, lattice field theory and cosmology, supported by 18 faculty members, 16 PDRAs and around 30 graduate students. The successful applicant will also be a member of The Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics, which brings together the various strands of research in theoretical physics across the whole of the School of Physics and Astronomy and the School of Mathematics. The group is committed to giving you the support needed to nurture your talent.

The level of appointment for the PDRA post will be determined by the selection panel depending on the experience of the successful candidate.

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

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD (or near completion) in Physics, Theoretical Physics or Mathematical Physics.
• Excellent understanding of scattering amplitude calculations and/or general relativity.
• Experience in delivering research results in an academic context; e.g. a record of peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations.
• Capability to work independently, exercising a high degree of initiative and demonstrating a proactive and flexible approach to work.

Please feel free to contact our HR team at admin-hr@ph.ed.ac.uk regarding any technical issues, and address any enquiries regarding the position to Donal O’Connell (Donal.O'Connell@ed.ac.uk) or Anton Ilderton (anton.ilderton@ed.ac.uk) 

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. Is e buidheann carthannais a th’ ann an Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, clàraichte an Alba, àireamh clàraidh SC005336.

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