Research Associate

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 3 years.

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

Expected start date: September 2026, subject to negotiation.

We are seeking a Research Associate to make a leading contribution to the project “Conic Symplectic Singularities” working with Professor Gwyn Bellamy.

One of the cornerstone results of algebra, achieved in the mid 20th-century, is the Cartan-Killing classification of simple finite dimensional complex Lie algebras. This classification forms the core of Lie theory, on which the rest of the theory is built. This project aims to generalize this classification result to all conic symplectic singularities. The notion of a symplectic singularity was introduced by Beauville, extending the notion of symplectic manifold to singular spaces. In geometric representation theory the focus is on conic symplectic singularities. These are symplectic singularities which are also affine cones for which the symplectic form has positive weight. The project aims to classify conic symplectic singularities, which is made plausible by an extraordinary result of Namikawa, which says that these singularities are countable, up to isomorphism.

The RA is expected to work with the PI and CoIs to introduce the concept of Hamiltonian Cox ring and associated Hamiltonian Cox space of a conic symplectic singularity and show that these Hamiltonian Cox spaces are Q-factorial and terminal conic symplectic singularities. This will reduce the classification problem to that of classifying Q-factorial terminal conic symplectic singularities. Then the team will apply techniques (computations of Hilbert series) and constructions (Coulomb branches of 3d N=4 SUSY gauge theories) from mathematical physics to classify these conic symplectic singularities. Candidates should have expertise in either geometric representations theory or algebraic geometry.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics at Glasgow aims to develop a nurturing and friendly environment for our researchers to work in. We use our resources to build excellence in our own research, to develop collaborations and networks with others, and to enable our researchers to continually develop within a positive environment. We do this by promoting equality, diversity and inclusiveness and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The School values diversity and we particularly welcome applications from women and under-represented communities. We support applications from those returning from a career break and are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. All appointments will be made on merit.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

For informal enquiries, please contact Gwyn Bellamy (gwyn.bellamy@glasgow.ac.uk)

For more information on the University of Glasgow’s School of Mathematics & Statistics, please visit www.gla.ac.uk/schools/mathematicsstatistics

For more information and to apply online: www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research-associate-99

It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment.

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