Senior Research Scientist

The University of Oxford is seeking a Senior Research Scientist in Technosignature Searches to join Breakthrough Listen, the world’s leading scientific programme dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of radio astronomy, signal processing, machine learning, and large-scale scientific data analysis.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the operation and scientific exploitation of Breakthrough Listen observing programmes at the Green Bank Telescope and Parkes Observatory. Working closely with an international team of researchers, engineers, and observatory partners, you will contribute to the analysis of some of the largest and most comprehensive radio technosignature datasets ever collected. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to one of the most ambitious scientific searches in modern astronomy, while working within a highly collaborative international research environment with access to major observatories, large-scale datasets, and advanced computational resources.

The role will involve the deployment and optimisation of search pipelines, analysis of large observational datasets, development of new computational approaches to technosignature detection, and contribution to publications, observing proposals, and collaborative scientific activities. The postholder will also work closely with technical teams supporting scientific computing infrastructure and data systems.

Applicants should hold PhD in astronomy, physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or a closely related discipline and have experience in radio astronomy, signal processing, scientific computing, or related data-intensive research areas, together with strong programming and analytical skills. Experience with machine learning, high-performance computing, or observational radio astronomy would be advantageous.

This is a full-time post, fixed term until 30 June 2029.

The closing date for applications is noon GMT time on Friday, 26 June 2026.

You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online job application. The supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

You should arrange for your 2 referees to send your reference to Leanne O'Donnell leanne.odonnell@physics.ox.ac.uk before the closing date.