Astrophysics Group Job Opportunities
Find out about how to join us as a PhD student or a research fellow.
Astrophysics
We study exploding stars, growing galaxies and feeding black holes in an expanding Universe.
Our Research
We use cutting-edge observational, computational and theoretical methods to address fundamental questions in astrophysics and related earth science. Our research covers both extreme phenomena in high-energy astrophysics and the large-scale evolution of the universe and the galaxies within it. Within the former, we study the physics of neutron stars and black-hole formation by observing and modelling relativistic jets and gamma-ray bursts. Within the latter, we use large-survey data and perform cosmological simulations of galaxies and cosmic structure. We map nearby variable stars to calibrate the cosmological distance ladder. Bridging topics are our use of gamma-ray burst as cosmic probes of their environment and our observational research into active galactic nuclei. Further research themes include satellite imaging and acoustics. We are members of international consortia including 4MOST. Our numerical work involves fluid dynamics, machine learning and uses national HPC facilities.
Find Out More About Physics Research At Bath
People and Research
Learn more about the research activities of our staff, research associates and PhD students.
Join Us
Join us as a PhD student or member of staff. Interested students can either contact academic staff directly or see our projects on FindaPhD.com.
Available PhD Projects in the Department of Physics
See available PhD projects in the Department of Physics
Join Physics as an independent research fellow
Advice for postdoctoral researchers about how to apply for fellowships and join the Department of Physics.
News and Announcements
Read more on Bath astrophysicists in the news.
By studying neutron ‘starquakes’, scientists hope to transform their understanding of nuclear matter
The study of ‘starquakes’ (like earthquakes, but in stars) promises to give us important new insights into the properties of neutron stars.
Astronomers discover mysterious ‘Red Monster’ galaxies in the early Universe
An international team that includes the University of Bath has discovered three ultra-massive galaxies in the early Universe forming at unexpected speeds.
Planetarium show uncovers the invisible nature of supermassive black holes for general audiences
Dr Carolin Villforth and scientists across the EU have developed a planetarium show that explains the mystery of supermassive black holes to general audiences.
First spectroscopic observations of distant GRB host galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope
Dr Patricia Schady and her team use JWST to combine absorption and emission line techniques to study the cosmic chemical evolution of the young Universe.
What makes black holes grow and new stars form? Machine learning helps solve the mystery
It takes more than a galaxy merger to make a black hole grow and new stars form: machine learning shows cold gas is needed too to initiate rapid growth.
CRC Press publishes undergraduate textbook by Bath astrophysicist, Dr Hendrik van Eerten
Dr Hendrik van Eerten, a reader in the Department of Physics, has published Introduction to Fluid Dynamics in Physics and Astrophysics.
Research Consortium
Find out more about research consortia in which we participate.
Research Outputs
Take a look at recent papers, articles and conference contributions from our staff and students on our Bath Research Portal.