Assistant / Associate Professor in Gravitational Wave Physics

About the role:

The Department of Physics at Imperial College London seeks an outstanding academic to join us as an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Gravitational Wave Physics.

Gravitational wave (GW) physics has opened an entirely new observational window into the Universe - enabling fundamental tests of gravity, probing the fundamental laws of nature, properties of compact objects, and offering unprecedented constraints on cosmology. With next-generation observatories including LIGO, the Einstein Telescope, LISA, NanoGrav/PTA, and the Simons Observatory either reaching new sensitivities or coming online imminently, the field is at an extraordinary inflection point.

The Department of Physics at Imperial has internationally leading expertise in theoretical and experimental physics, spanning astrophysics, cosmology, gravity, fundamental physics and precision measurement. It is consistently ranked among the very best in the UK and worldwide. This is an exceptional opportunity to extend the existing expertise at Imperial by building your own world-class research group, lead Imperial's engagement with major international GW collaborations, and inspire the next generation of physicists.

What you would be doing:

As a member of our academic faculty, you will:

• Conduct and publish innovative, internationally leading research within your field.
• Contribute to teaching and curriculum development at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Supervise and mentor PhD students and junior researchers.
• Secure external research funding and build productive collaborations within and beyond Imperial.
• Play an active role in the life and strategic development of the Department and the wider Faculty.
• Serve as a mentor and role model for colleagues and students.

Depending on your level of appointment, you may also:

• Contribute to departmental leadership and management.

What we are looking for:

We are seeking an outstanding academic who is committed to excellence in research, teaching, and academic citizenship. We welcome applications from candidates across the full breadth of gravitational wave physics, spanning theoretical, computational, observational and experimental approaches.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• A PhD in Physics or in a closely related field, or equivalent.
• A strong research record with publications of outstanding quality.
• A clear plan to build or further develop an internationally leading research programme that enhances the Department’s profile.
• Commitment to high-quality teaching and supervision of students.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills appropriate to your career stage.

• At the Assistant Professor level, you will have clear potential to develop an international reputation in Gravitational Wave Physics.
• At the Associate Professor level, you will have an established profile and emerging international recognition in Gravitational Wave Physics.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including significant high-performance computing resources through Imperial’s Research Computing Service.
• Grow in your career with tailored training programmes for academic staff including dedicated support with navigating your career and managing research as well as a transparent promotion process.

• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 42 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources designed to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further Information

Closing date: 30 September 2026, 23:59 hours Midnight BST

Salary:

Assistant Professor: £73,194 - £82,954 per annum

Associate Professor: minimum starting salary of £85,873 per annum

This is an open-ended, full-time post (35 hours per week). It is anticipated that this appointment would commence after 1 January 2027.

The Department of Physics is part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College London. We are an internationally renowned Physics department, which enables us to create groups of international standing, and with sufficient scale and critical mass, that they influence the research agenda and attract the world’s top researchers.  The Department is structured into five Research Communities that drive new research directions: Light, Matter, Physics of Particles, Physics of the Universe, and Space, Plasma and Climate.

The Universe Community hosts world-leading researchers across cosmology, astrophysics, gravitational and fundamental physics, and this appointment represents a strategic investment in a priority growth area for the Department. Staff can associate with multiple Communities, providing the flexibility needed to tackle multidisciplinary challenges.

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and fostering an inclusive workplace culture. The Department of Physics is also proud to hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and thriving community. We value the strength that comes from diverse perspectives, and we warmly welcome applications from talented people of all backgrounds, and particularly those underrepresented in physics, to join our vibrant community supported by initiatives that promote collaboration, inclusivity, and professional development.

Find out more about our inclusive environment.

If you would like more information or have specific queries about the role, please contact: Prof. Stefan Söldner-Rembold, Head of Department – s.soldner-rembold@imperial.ac.uk or Prof. Claudia de Rham, Head of the Universe Community and Professor of Theoretical Physics – c.de-rham@imperial.ac.uk.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact: the Physics Knowledge Hub – physicsconnect@imperial.ac.uk.

If you experience any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.