Illuminating compact binary formation and evolution with gravitational waves

About the Project

Gravitational waves are emitted by compact binaries—pairs of black holes and/or neutron stars—spiralling around each other at close to the speed of light before colliding in a violent coalescence. Since the first detection of a binary black hole collision via gravitational waves in 2015, hundreds of compact binary mergers have been observed with our current gravitational-wave interferometers: LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA.

By studying a signal captured by these instruments, we can infer the properties of its source: for example, the masses of the binary components, their spins, their distance from Earth, and their orbital eccentricity. These parameters, in turn, provide clues about the earlier life of the binary. For example, heavier black holes with rapid spins may be the result of repeated mergers; highly-eccentric binaries may have been thrown together in chaotic interactions; and different formation channels and environments can lead to faster or slower mergers, resulting in a different distribution of source redshifts.

This project will investigate what the gravitational waves detected by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration tell us about the formation and evolution of their compact-object sources.

How to apply

Applicants should apply to the Doctor of Philosophy in Physics and Astronomy.

Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University webpages (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/physics-and-astronomy) including:

• your academic CV
• Your degree certificates and transcripts to date including certified translations if these are not in English
• a personal statement/covering letter
• two references, at least one of which should be academic. Your references can be emailed by the referee to physics-admissions@cardiff.ac.uk

Please note: We are do not contact referees directly for references for each applicant due to the volume of applications we receive.

In the "Research Proposal" section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project.

In the funding section, please select that you will be self-funded or include your own sponsorship or scholarship details.

Once your application is submitted, we will review it and advise you within a few weeks if you have been shortlisted for an interview.

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 Practitioner accreditation that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women 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. We very much welcome applications in Welsh.

Funding Notes

This project is offered for self-funded students only, or those with their own sponsorship or scholarship award.