One PhD position in Relativistic Astrophysics and Gravitational-Wave Physics, Valencia, Spain

2025-10-15
j.antonio.font[AT]uv.es
Valencia, Spain

The Relativistic Astrophysics Group at the University of Valencia (Spain) invites applications for one 4-year PhD position in the topic of gravitational-wave physics in theories beyond general relativity. This position is linked to the research project “Computational relativistic astrophysics and data analysis in the era of gravitational-wave astronomy” (PID2024-159689NB-C21) of the Spanish Research Agency. The position entails research work on modelling of astrophysical sources of gravitational waves, numerical relativity, and data analysis.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate interested in strong field modifications of general relativity and their test through astrophysical observations of compact objects. The candidate will conduct gravitational-wave source modelling in such theories, with these three main goals: (1) Find new qualitative features in gravitational-wave signals and electromagnetic signals from binary black hole and binary neutron star mergers in modified gravity. (2) Explore the core-collapse supernova gravitational-wave signature for a rotating progenitor in modified theories of gravity. (3) Model isolated rotating black holes and neutron stars beyond general relativity, studying their observational properties and stability.

The Relativistic Astrophysics Group at the University of Valencia comprises faculty members Pablo Cerda-Duran, Jose Antonio Font, Samuel Santos, and Alejandro Torres-Forne’, non-tenured faculty Daniela Doneva, Milton Ruiz and Nicolas Sanchis-Gual, and over ten PhD students. The group is part of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration, the Einstein Telescope Collaboration and of the LISA Consortium.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Daniela Doneva.