Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Physics and Astronomy - Gravitational Physics

Gravitational Physics is a specialised research area within the Physics and Astronomy postgraduate research programmes (PhD), focusing on the detection and analysis of gravitational waves and the study of fundamental aspects of gravity and the Universe. The research group is one of the largest in the field and investigates signals from astrophysical events such as black hole and neutron star mergers, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts, combining observational data analysis with theoretical modelling.

The group plays a leading role in major international collaborations, including the GEO 600 project and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, and contributes to the development of future initiatives such as the space-based LISA mission and the Einstein Telescope. Research involves the creation of advanced algorithms and software for detecting and analysing gravitational wave signals, supported by high-performance computing and in-house data analysis facilities.

In addition to observational work, the programme includes strong theoretical research in areas such as numerical relativity, early-Universe physics, and large-scale cosmic structure. This includes simulations of black hole collisions and studies of quantum processes and cosmological backgrounds. Students benefit from a collaborative, internationally connected research environment with access to advanced computational resources and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge discoveries in gravitational physics.