Research Fellow (111981-0726)

Eligibility 

• Only internal candidates are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This includes any current University of Warwick employees (including those on the Redeployment Register), Graduate Teaching Assistants, or Unitemps/Uniperms.

Informal Queries

• For informal queries, please contact Professor Boris Gaensicke at Boris.Gaensicke@warwick.ac.uk

The Department of Physics seeks to appoint one Research Fellows to work with Prof. Boris Gaensicke within the area of evolved planetary systems. The Research Fellow will work on the analysis and interpretation of a large spectroscopic data set of gaseous debris discs. Specific tasks include investigating the long-term variability of the emission line profiles based on a dedicated X-Shooter monitoring program and the identification of additional gas disc systems using the spectroscopy from the DESI and SDSS surveys.   

This 1-year position is funded by the ERC and is available from Oct 1st 2026, or soon thereafter.

Applicants must hold, or be about to obtain, a doctoral degree in astrophysics or a related field. Expertise in one or several of the following areas is desirable: analysis of large spectroscopic data sets, Doppler tomography, analysis of time-series spectroscopy containing weak periodic signals.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).

Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Astronomy and Astrophysics group at Warwick is interested in time-resolved observational astrophysics,

encompassing white dwarfs, high energy transient events

such as gamma-ray bursts or mergers of stellar remnants that generate gravitational waves, and the discovery and study of exoplanets. The group makes extensive use of ground- and space-based telescopes, and we operate our own facilities in Chile, Australia and La Palma.

Department of Physics

The post will be based in the Department of Physics, a vibrant academic department with over 200 academic, research, technical and professional services staff, over 800 undergraduate students and 200 postgraduate research students.

We are proud of our diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining excellence in both teaching and research by promoting equality of opportunity for all, within a culture of mutual respect and dignity.

We are pleased to hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality for all staff and students. We also hold an Institute of Physics Inclusion Award in support of our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. 

Further information about working in the Department of Physics and the benefits available can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working/.

The University supports flexible working and requests for part-time working or job-share will be considered where possible.

Childcare for interviews

Childcare can be provided for you at the University of Warwick Nursery (www.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery) in order for you to attend the interview. Childcare is subject to availability of places at the Nursery.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

* World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

Closing Deadline: Sunday 9th August 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)* 

To apply, please click APPLY below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. 

You will be asked to include a CV and Cover Letter. These documents should:

• Outline employment and education history (including your most recent employment).
• Demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description using clear examples.

Please ensure your application clearly evidences the essential criteria, as the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application if these are not demonstrated.**

• Interview Date: To be confirmed 
• Start Date: 1st October 2026

* Applications must be submitted through the warwick-careers.tal.net portal before the closing deadline. We recommend completing your application form in good time, as the advert will automatically close at the deadline.

** You are welcome to include any career breaks, such as parental leave, caring responsibilities, or long-term sickness absence. For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements.

Where possible, we offer hybrid working arrangements that combine office-based and remote working. Opportunities for hybrid working will depend on the requirements of the role, business needs of the department and can be discussed during the recruitment process.

For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.