Postdoctoral Research Associate in Nuclear Astrophysics (R-matrix), University of Edinburgh (ERC Grant NUCLEAR)
Job Description
The University of Edinburgh has a postdoc in nuclear astrophysics on the ERC Advanced Grant NUCLEAR. You will build and apply R-matrix evaluations of nuclear reaction data that matter for stars. The post is in Professor Marialuisa Aliotta’s group.
At a glance
- Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, full time (job 14879)
- Where: School of Physics and Astronomy, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh; hybrid working considered
- Pay: £41,064 to £48,822 a year (grade UE07)
- Contract: 12 months at first, with a possible extension
- PI: Prof. Marialuisa Aliotta
- Apply: 30 October 2026, 11:59 pm UK time
What the nuclear astrophysics postdoc will do
- Develop and apply R-matrix evaluations of measured nuclear reaction cross-sections of astrophysical interest
- Build a toolset with the PI and Dr James deBoer of the University of Notre Dame
- Provide R-matrix global fits and help evaluate astrophysical reaction rates
- Co-supervise research students and help with graduate and undergraduate supervision
- Travel often to overseas laboratories and present at collaboration meetings
Why this role matters
Stars make the elements through nuclear reactions that are too slow to measure directly at stellar energies. R-matrix fits link lab data to those energies, so they decide how reliable reaction rates are. The project is UKRI-funded under an ERC Advanced Grant and works with underground-laboratory experiments.
What Edinburgh is looking for
- A strong background in experimental nuclear astrophysics, ideally in underground laboratories
- An excellent academic record, with strong publications and leadership in the field
- The ad gives no separate essential and desirable lists; a fuller job description is linked from the ad
Pay and location
The salary is £41,064 to £48,822 a year on grade UE07, pro rata if part time. The post is 35 hours a week, fixed term for 12 months at first with a possible extension. Interviews are expected on Zoom in late November. The ad says the university may be able to sponsor international workers for this role, and right to work must be shown before you start.
How to apply
Apply through the official Edinburgh page. The closing date is 30 October 2026, 11:59 pm UK time. Apply online with a motivation letter on your relevant skills, a full CV, a list of peer-reviewed papers and the names of two referees.
See all our postdoc jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: The University of Edinburgh
Official advertisement: elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
How to prepare for this application
- Show any R-matrix work you have done, and name the codes you used (for example AZURE2)
- List the experiments you worked on, especially underground or low-background measurements
- Read the ERC NUCLEAR project's aims and say how your skills fit them
- Mention any supervision of students; the role includes co-supervision
- Ask about visa sponsorship early if you are outside the UK
About the University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583. Its School of Physics and Astronomy includes the Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics, whose nuclear physics group works on nuclear astrophysics and takes part in underground-laboratory experiments.
