Job Description

Grade UE07: 41,064 to 48,822 per annum

CSE / School of Physics and Astronomy

Full-Time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term: 3 years (1stSeptember 2026 - 31st August 2029)

Applications are invited for a three-year Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics, to work on strong-field problems in gauge theory and gravity.

The Opportunity:

The Research Associate will contribute to the Leverhulme Trust project "Exploiting self-duality in strong-field physics". Research activities include studying the use of self-dual gauge fields in modelling strong-field phenomena, higher-loop calculations and resummation in self-dual backgrounds, calculation of amplitudes and observables, and investigating properties of amplitudes in time-dependent spacetimes.

Your skills and attributes for success:

PhD (or within 3 months of completion) in Physics, Theoretical Physics or Mathematical Physics. Knowledge of quantum field theory and experience with scattering amplitudes. Knowledge of the current research frontier in at least one of the following areas: scattering amplitudes; strong field QED; non-perturbative effects; quantum field theory in background fields or curved space; double copy. 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.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be sent to anton.ilderton@ed.ac.uk

Application Information

Please ensure you include in your application:


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

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As a valued member of our team you can expect:

A competitive salary An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

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.





Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)


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

Monday 5th January 2026.

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.