PhD in X-ray and Gravitational-Wave Joint Observations of Compact Objects using Machine Learning at Cardiff University 2025

This is a fully funded PhD research opportunity at Cardiff University's School of Physics and Astronomy for a project exploring the synergy between gravitational-wave and X-ray observations of compact binary systems (black holes and neutron stars), using machine learning. The project leverages upcoming observatories like Athena and next-gen gravitational-wave detectors to extract astrophysical insights from multi-messenger signals. The PhD is part of the AIMLAC CDT (Artificial Intelligence for Multi-scale and Multi-dimensional Computational Modelling).

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJuly 31, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorCardiff University
• City to studyCardiff
• School to studyCardiff University
• Course to studyPhysics and Astronomy
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Full tuition fees
• Annual stipend: £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI standard)
• Funding for training, research, and conferences

Requirements

• Must hold (or be expecting) a minimum of a 2:1 in Physics, Astronomy, or a related discipline
• Must meet Cardiff University English language requirements (e.g., IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-score below 5.5)
• Open to both full-time and part-time applicants
• Women and ethnic minorities strongly encouraged to apply
• Must not currently hold another full-funded scholarship

Interview Dates and Process

Applicants will be selected based on:

• Academic excellence
• Research potential and motivation
• Quality of supporting documents (CV, personal statement, references)
• Interview performance (if shortlisted)

The project will:

• Use population synthesis simulations (e.g., COMPAS) and mock parameter estimation
• Apply machine learning methods (e.g., Normalizing Flows, CNNs) to constrain astrophysical parameters like spin and mass
• Analyze synthetic populations from current or newly generated datasets
• Simulate gravitational-wave detections with GWMockCat
• Explore differences between binaries that went through observable X-ray phases and those that didn’t

Application Documents

• Academic CV

• Degree certificates and transcripts (with certified English translation if applicable)

• Personal statement or covering letter

• Two academic references (sent directly to [email protected])

• Research Proposal section must include:

  • Project title

  • Supervisors (Dr V Raymond, Prof P Sutton, Dr Romero-Shaw, Dr Young)

  • Note "AIMLAC-funded" in the funding section

Application Deadline

How To Apply

Applicants should apply to the Doctor of Philosophy in Physics and Astronomy. 

Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University webpages (for October 2025 start) (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/physics-and-astronomy) including: 

•  your academic CV 
• Your degree certificates and transcripts to date including certified translations if these are not in English 
• a personal statement/covering letter 
• two references, at least one of which should be academic. Your references can be emailed by the referee to [email protected]  

Please note: We are do not contact referees directly for references for each applicant due to the volume of applications we receive.     

In the "Research Proposal" section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project.

In the funding section, please state that this position is AIMLAC-funded