Vanderbilt University invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow in gravitational-wave astronomy and multi-messenger astrophysics. The successful candidate will join the Department of Physics & Astronomy as a VIPER (Vanderbilt Initiative in Probes of Extreme Relativity) Postdoctoral Fellow.
Candidates with experience in PTAs, LISA, LVK, or associated astrophysical/cosmological sources such as binary supermassive black holes, are strongly encouraged to apply. Postdocs at Vanderbilt are appointed to renewable one-year terms, up to a prospective total of three years. The position comes with an attractive salary commensurate with other prestigious prize fellowships in astrophysics, full benefits, and a competitive research and travel budget.
VIPER operates within the vibrant Department of Physics & Astronomy at Vanderbilt University (https://as.vanderbilt.edu/astronomy) which includes faculty at the forefront of research in Gravitational Waves, Black Holes, and Pulsars. Faculty are world leaders within multi-messenger astrophysics collaborations such as NANOGrav, the International Pulsar Timing Array, LISA, LVK, SDSS, LSST, and EHT. Vanderbilt (ranked 16th in the 2027 US News & World Report Rankings) houses the state-of-the-art Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education (ACCRE) cluster with ~16,000 cores and cutting-edge GPU resources, as well as a Data Science Institute, and a new College of Connected Computing with strong faculty connections in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Nashville is ranked amongst the top 25 cities to live in the US, with thriving scenes in music, art, entertainment, education, and technology (https://realestate.usnews.com/places/tennessee/nashville).
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, or equivalent, by the date of appointment.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Vanderbilt University is required to follow current federal visa requirements.
Attractive salary commensurate with other prestigious prize fellowships in astrophysics, and a competitive research and travel budget.
Application Instructions
Applicants should ensure that all of the following are sent directly to viper.vanderbilt@gmail.com, with the subject line “VIPER Fellow 2026, LASTNAME FIRSTNAME”, and received by 11.59 pm Central US Time on December 15th, 2026.
- A cover letter stating the applicant’s overall goals, motivation for applying, and how their research aligns with the position (1 page; LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Cover.pdf)
- A curriculum vitae including a list of publications and talks. (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_CV.pdf)
- A description of research accomplishments and future plans (3-page limit, 1-inch margins, 12 pt font; LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Research.pdf)
- Names and contact details of three professional references (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_References.pdf)
- Three letters of recommendation are to be sent directly to viper.vanderbilt(at)gmail.com with the subject line “VIPER Fellow 2026: reference letter for LASTNAME FIRSTNAME”.
Candidates interested in further details are encouraged to contact the Director of VIPER, Professor Stephen Taylor.
Publication Start Date 2026 Oct 15
Application Deadline 2026 Dec 15
Inquiries: Stephen Taylor, stephen.r.taylor(at)vanderbilt.edu
Please find here details.