Post Doctoral Research Associate in Mathematical Relativity, University of Cambridge
Job Description
Cambridge’s Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics is hiring a Post Doctoral Research Associate in mathematical relativity, working on cosmological solutions under the initial value formulation of general relativity. The salary is £37,694 to £46,049 a year and applications close on 14 October 2026.
At a glance
- Post: Post Doctoral Research Associate in Mathematical Relativity
- Where: Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, University of Cambridge
- Salary: £37,694 to £46,049 a year
- Reference: LF51190
- Apply by: 14 October 2026
Read the official University of Cambridge advertisement before you apply.
About the work
The post works on cosmological solutions and their dynamical properties under the initial value formulation of general relativity. In practice that means the rigorous analysis of big bang singularities and how they relate to asymptotic notions of initial data.
Duties include developing and conducting your own and collaborative research objectives, proposals and projects. You would plan and manage your own research and administration, with guidance where needed, and help prepare proposals and applications to external funders. You may be asked to help supervise student projects, develop students’ research skills, and give instruction or seminars in the research area.
The start date is 1 February 2027 and funds are available for two years in the first instance.
What you need
- A PhD in mathematics, awarded or expected soon
- Experience with the Cauchy problem in general relativity, in particular the rigorous analytical study of cosmological big bang singularities and their relationship to asymptotic notions of initial data
- The ability to communicate technical material and to build internal and external contacts
What to send
The advertisement asks for a full curriculum vitae, a description of your recent research of no more than three pages, and the contact details including email addresses of two academic referees on the online form. At least one referee must be contactable at any time during selection and should know that the Mathematics HR Administrator will ask them to upload a reference.
Informal enquiries go to Associate Professor Zoe Wyatt at zw253@cam.ac.uk. Questions about the application process go to LF51190@maths.cam.ac.uk. Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date.
Pay
The advertised range is £37,694 to £46,049 a year. This is a fixed-term post.
How to apply
Apply online through the Cambridge job page. Click Apply, register an account with the University’s recruitment system if you do not have one, and complete the form. Quote reference LF51190 on your application and in any correspondence about the vacancy. You will normally be asked for a CV and the contact details of academic referees, so line those up before you start.
One thing to check first. The University states that it has a responsibility to ensure all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you are applying from outside the UK, read the visa position for this post before you spend time on the application.
Browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in, or search our Find a supervisor page.
Hiring institution: University of Cambridge
Official advertisement: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk
How to prepare for this application
- Keep the research description to three pages. The advertisement sets that limit explicitly.
- Warn your referees now. One must be reachable at any point during selection.
- Write to Zoe Wyatt first. Informal enquiries are invited, and a short email about fit is time well spent.
- Quote the reference, LF51190. Cambridge asks for it on the form and in every email about the post.
- Line up your referees early. Cambridge contacts them during selection, so tell them before you apply.
- Check your right to work in the UK. Every Cambridge advert carries this condition, and it is the usual reason an overseas application stalls.
About the University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 and is one of the world's leading research universities. Its research posts are advertised centrally at jobs.cam.ac.uk, with each department running its own selection.