Research Assistant in Gravitational Physics (with possibility of PhD study) (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position to work on the ERC-funded project COSMOTENSION under the supervision of Dr Will Handley and Prof Mike Hobson. The post holder will undertake research on cosmological tensions and tests of Poincaré gauge theories of gravity using AI-accelerated Bayesian inference, with the possibility of registering for a PhD at the University of Cambridge. Please see the Further Particulars accompanying this advert for more information on the PhD opportunity.

The purpose of this role is to support and maintain the University's national and international mission for excellence in teaching and research.

Contribution to excellence in research will be as a member of a research team carrying out research under the direction of a principal investigator to include data collection, analysis and some interpretation. Contribution to publications may be encouraged. Contribution to teaching within the department/faculty may include assistance in the supervision of students and some limited supervision of classes. The role holder will participate in the overall contribution of the department/faculty, as appropriate.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Have research experience in alternative theories of gravity, in particular gauge-theoretic approaches, and/or gravitational-wave data analysis
• Have experience with Bayesian inference methods
• Have completed or be completing a Master's-level qualification in a relevant field
• Where the post-holder wishes to pursue PhD study, they must have applied through the IoA postgraduate admissions process.

The position is available from October 2026. Salary will be on the University Grade 5 scale £33,002 - £35,608.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please indicate the contact details of three referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae (CV) and a list of publications. Please also provide a cover letter (1 page of A4 at minimum Font size 11) and a statement of research experience and interests (three pages maximum) which sets out your suitability for the role. Please ensure that your referees are aware that they may be contacted by the Institute of Astronomy.

The application deadline is 23:59 on 20th May 2026

Where applicable, referees will be requested to provide references following short-listing and prior to the interview date.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and interviews will be provisionally planned for week commencing 29th June 2026

The start date of the appointment is October 2026.

Informal inquiries may be directed to Dr Will Handley (wh260@cam.ac.uk). If you have any queries regarding the application process please contact HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.

The role is supported by ERC Starting Grant COSMOTENSION. Full proposal at https://willhandley.co.uk/ERC.pdf -- WP-B (PHD2) is the relevant work package.

This post also allows the post holder the possibility of undertaking PhD study where an offer is received via the postgraduate admissions process.

Key information

Department/location: Institute of Astronomy

Salary: £33,002-£35,608

Reference: LG49618

Category: Research

Date published: 6 May 2026

Closing date: 20 May 2026

Further Particulars