Job Description

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Grade UE07: 41,064 to 48,822

College of Science and Engineering / School of Physics and Astronomy

Full Time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term 3 years September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2029.

Applications are invited for up to two Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics, to work on applications of scattering amplitudes and the double copy to gauge theory and gravity.

The Opportunity:

The Research Associate will contribute to the European Research Council Advanced Grant project "Classical and Semiclassical Aspects of Amplitudes". Research activities include studying the interplay of large gauge transformations, amplitudes and observables; computing (semi)classical observables, and investigating amplitudes in time-dependent spacetimes.

Your skills and attributes for success:

PhD (or completion within 3 months) in Physics, Theoretical Physics or Mathematical Physics. Knowledge of quantum field theory and experience with scattering amplitudes. Knowledge of the current research frontier in one or more of the following areas: scattering amplitudes; the double copy; Feynman integrals; gravitational waveforms; infrared divergences; asymptotic symmetries and the BMS group; quantum field theory in curved space; Hawking radiation; classical observables computed using amplitudes. Experience in delivering research results in an academic context; e.g. a record of peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations. Capability of working independently, exercising a high degree of initiative, and demonstrating a proactive and flexible approach to work.

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Application Information

Please ensure you include:


Your CV, cover letter and publication list; A statement of research experience and interests (maximum 2 pages); Please arrange for 3 letters of reference to be sent to physics-references@ed.ac.uk by the deadline

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. The Higgs Centre's goal is to achieve breakthroughs in our basic understanding of the universe. Our work spans a broad range of disciplines, covering all length and time scales. The particle theory group has a very strong ongoing research effort in particle phenomenology, scattering amplitudes, lattice field theory and cosmology, supported by 22 faculty members, 20 PDRAs and around 24 graduate students. The group is committed to providing you the support needed to nurture your talent.


As a member of Academic Staff at the University of Edinburgh, you will benefit from a competitive reward package and a wide range of staff benefits, which includes a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme

,

staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, flexible working and much more. Click to access our staff benefits page (opens new browser tab) for further information and use our reward calculator to find out the total value of pay and benefits provided.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce, and eliminating discrimination. The School strives to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for all and we are looking to actively diversify our staff. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and in particular encourage applications from people of colour, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and other minority and under-represented groups. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working, as evidenced by our Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver awards


The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.


If invited for interview you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work

webpages

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The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is

5 December 2025

.


Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.


We anticipate interviews will be held during the week beginning

15th December

.