Research Associate in Analytical and Computational Spectral Theory

We are looking for a Research Associate to join the Mathematical Analysis Group in the School of Mathematics.

In this role, you will:

• conduct research on spectral theory and solvability complexity for Maxwell equations and related systems;
• publish scientific articles and present your work at national and international workshops;
• develop objectives and proposals for further research funding, including for your own career development and for workshops associated with the project.

This position is funded by the Leverhulme Trust research project grant Maxwell and Drude-Lorentz, spectra and resonances: how hard can they be? You will work with the project leader in Cardiff, Prof Marco Marletta, as well as with collaborators Prof Jonathan Ben-Artzi (Roma Tor Vergata), Dr Sabine Boegli (Durham), Dr Francesco Ferraresso (Verona) and Prof Christiane Tretter (Bern), applying ideas from spectral theory, mathematical analysis and theoretical computational mathematics to obtain fundamental results on the intrinsic difficulty of the problems under investigation, by proposing new approaches to their solution. The project includes funds to allow you to attend national and international workshops. You will also assist the project leader in making bids for further funding for the project, e.g. to organize workshops and invite visitors. You will be mentored to become an independent researcher, establish an international network of research contacts and apply for Fellowships to support the next step of your career.

We’d like to hear from you if you:

• hold a postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in mathematics;
• have an established expertise in spectral theory, spectral approximation and PDEs;
• have a proven ability to publish in international journals.

We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression. We are a proud Living Wage supporter.

Please contact Prof Marco Marletta (MarlettaM@cardiff.ac.uk) for an informal, confidential discussion about the role.

For information about working at Cardiff University, please contact Cath Noble, HR Officer, maths-hr@cardiff.ac.uk.

This post is fixed-term for a period of 36 months, full time, and is available from 1st of September 2026. Appointment is subject to the approval of the Leverhulme Trust.

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6)

Closing date: Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

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