Postdoctoral Research Associate

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• You will conduct and disseminate research in geometric group theory and related fields (write and submit academic articles, give talks at seminars and conferences). You will work on questions related to the proposed project together with the project leader and his collaborators (more detail on the project below) and develop your own research directions.
• You will actively engage with the thriving research community in geometric group theory of Heriot Watt University and the Maxwell Institute by attending seminars, organizing research events, as appropriate.
• You will be offered the opportunity to further your professional and personal development skills, and the project leader will support the successful applicant in their academic, scientific, and professional growth.
• This position has no teaching load but comes with the possibility of taking on some light teaching duties, should the candidate wish to gain teaching experience.
• Essential & Desirable Criteria
• Essential
• Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) a PhD in mathematics.
• Evidence of excellent work in geometric group theory.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a group.
• Desirable
• Evidence of work on hyperbolic features of groups.
• Evidence of research on topics that complement the existing expertise of the Heriot Watt geometric group theory team.
• How to Apply
• Applications can be submitted up to 11:55pm (UK time) on Sunday 29th November
• Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment. Applications must contain:
• A CV (max. 5 pages) containing a list of publications. The applicant may add to their CV the contact details (name, institution, email address) of up to two people who may be contacted for recommendation letters.
• A research statement (max. 5 pages) containing a description of past results as well as future research directions.
• We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage you to submit your application promptly.
• The interviews are anticipated to be conducted mid-January 2027.
• We recognise that many candidates use AI tools during the application process and are comfortable with AI being used as a supporting aid. However, we want to hear from you, not AI.
• Your application should be an authentic representation of your skills, experience and achievements. Applications that appear to have been fully generated by AI may not accurately reflect your suitability for the role and are therefore discouraged.
• At interview, candidates will be expected to discuss and provide evidence of the experience, skills and examples included in their application.
• We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part-time working and job share options.
• Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
• Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/.
• Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About the Team

About Heriot-Watt University