Postdoctoral Fellow

Classification: Academic Level A
Salary package: $85,010 - $106,702 per annum plus 17% superannuation
Term: Full time, Fixed-term (from 1 September 2025 to 30 August 2028)

The Position
Join a friendly, motivated team working in gravitational wave theory and data analysis. The Astrophysicist Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct research in gravitational-wave astrophysics, incorporating the latest theoretical development and data analysis techniques. 

The successful candidate will be able to spend up to 50% of their time on self-directed research.

This position is within the ANU Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics (CGA), a joint facility of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Research School of Physics. CGA undertakes a world-leading role for Australia in the science and technology of gravitational wave discoveries and is the ANU node of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav).

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav) was established in 2017 to use the historic first detections of gravitational waves to understand the extreme physics of black holes and warped space time. These discoveries will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to make use of this new window on the universe. OzGrav was recently awarded $35M from the Australian Research Council to renew Centre operations for another seven years, through to 2031.

OzGrav is committed to cultivating a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusivity for all members, colleagues, and partners. In addition to the employee supports that ANU offers, OzGrav has an Equity-Diversity and Inclusion action plan and centre-specific initiatives such as Carer Grant Scheme, and ongoing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training.

The Person
We are looking for an early career academic with experience in gravitational wave data processing and data analysis. Expertise in any of the following fields is desirable:

Astrophysicist:

• theory (e.g., general relativity, modified theories of gravity, numerical relativity, etc.)
• gravitational-wave data analysis (e.g., parameter estimation, population analyses, etc.)

We are looking for candidates who like challenging problems and work well within a diverse and collegial team. 

Learn more about the ground-breaking research and work class facilities of the ANU Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics.

For more information about these positions, please contact Ling Sun on T: +61 2 6125 9887 E: ling.sun@anu.edu.au

Working at ANU
This is an opportunity to work with a world class University that undertakes cutting edge research and has a strong tradition in research-led teaching excellence.

We offer:

• Flexible working arrangements including hybrid arrangements working both on our beautiful, green campus and working remotely,
• Generous paid parental leave entitlements of up to 32 weeks. We are one of the leading employers in Australia for parental leave entitlements,
• Designated parent rooms, quiet spaces and childcare facilities on campus,
• Career support, training, mentoring & upskilling opportunities.

For more information on a range of lifestyle, financial and non-financial rewards and programs, please click here.

To see what the Science at ANU community is like, we invite you to follow us on social media at Instagram and Facebook.

A Diverse and Inclusive Team
ANU is introducing measures to support the recruitment, inclusion and retention of employees with disability. To find out more, please click here.

ANU is a large, diverse employer with staff working across numerous professions (see the full list of available roles here. We are a recipient of the bronze award through the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program and a platinum member of the Australian Network on Disability. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and from individuals who may have had a non-linear career path, career gaps or career breaks.


To Apply
To be considered for this position, please upload the following documents:

• A current curriculum vitae (traditional or narrative CV), and
• No more than a two-page summary addressing your suitability against the selection criteria.

The committee will consider candidates that do not meet one or more aspects of the selection criteria.

If shortlisted, candidates will be asked to complete a:

• 30 minute interview using behavioural interview questions
  
  

If you require adjustments to participate in any of the above assessments, please contact our HR team at E: hr.cosm@anu.edu.au. Any adjustment request or the disclosure of disability will not be communicated to the selection committee without the candidates consent and it will not having any bearing on hiring decisions.

For examples of common reasonable adjustments please click here.

The successful applicant must have rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.