Probing compact binary environments with future gravitational wave detectors

About the Project

Current gravitational-wave detectors observe gravitational-wave signals from binary compact objects—black holes and neutron stars—in the final few moments as they inspiral towards a cataclysmic collision. Future gravitational-wave detectors—third-generation instruments Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer, plus space-based instruments like LISA—will observe gravitational waves from earlier in the lives of these binaries, when their orbit may be influenced by external factors such as circumbinary disks or tertiary companions. This project will investigate what we can learn about these external influences through the fingerprints they leave on the gravitational wave emission of the binary, and develop efficient analysis techniques to help us do so.

For more information, or if there are any questions, please contact Dr Isobel Romero-Shaw isobel.romero-shaw@bristol.ac.uk

The typical academic requirement is a minimum of a 2:1 physics and astronomy or a relevant discipline.

Applicants whose first language is not English are normally expected to meet the minimum University requirements (e.g. IELTS 6.5 Overall with 5.5 minimum in sub-scores) (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements)

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.