Tenure-track research position in gravitational waves, Toulouse, France

2026-09-02
nicola.tamanini[AT]l2it.in2p3.fr
Toulouse, France

Summary of the scientific project
The first detection of gravitational waves (GWs) by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration in 2015 was made possible by advances in laser interferometer detectors and the theoretical and numerical development of associated data analysis methods. This achievement marked the beginning of a new type of astronomy, which to date has detected over 300 signals from black hole and neutron star mergers. It promises further exceptional discoveries through the improvement of current detectors (LIGO, Virgo) and the deployment of next-generation detectors (LISA, ET).
The scientific project of this Junior Professorial Chair relies on the use of this new type of data to uncover several mysteries of the Universe, such as the state of matter in neutron stars, the expansion rate of the Universe, the nature of dark energy, or the validity of general relativity in extreme regimes.

Summary of the teaching project
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the Universite’ de Toulouse, the majority of teaching hours are delivered at the Bachelor’s (Licence) level. In physics, the teacher-researchers require support in both “core” disciplines (e.g., mechanics, electromagnetism, optics) and “related” disciplines (e.g., mathematical and numerical tools). The development of new data analysis algorithms and numerical simulations is a specialty of the L2IT, with mathematical and numerical tools at the heart of the laboratory’s work. Contributing to these courses is particularly motivating for the L2IT, as they provide an opportunity to introduce students to its research fields.
Additionally, the recruited individual will be able to contribute to teaching the physics of the infinitely large (general relativity, astrophysics, data analysis methods) within the dynamic Master’s programs that focus on the science of the Universe.

Profile Required
Holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific qualifications or carried out scientific work deemed to be of an equivalent level.There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability

Host Lab Strategy
The Laboratoire des 2 Infinis – Toulouse (L2IT), established in 2020, focuses on the study of the two infinities-the infinitely large and the infinitely small-and the phenomena that govern them, as well as the connections between the two. This includes, for example, the study of the Higgs boson and its role in the evolution of the Universe, or the emission of gravitational waves (GWs) and their propagation. The L2IT’s distinctive feature is its specialization in scientific data modeling and analysis. In this field, gravitational waves present unique challenges, such as data dominated by numerous overlapping signals and noise.
The recruited individual will advance these topics, thereby strengthening the emerging L2IT team. The Toulouse site already has a strong track record in the design of space-based gravitational wave detectors and the study of astrophysical objects that emit gravitational waves. This chair will forge strong collaborations while bringing the L2IT’s specific research perspective to the forefront.

Institution Strategy
The development of gravitational wave astronomy is at the heart of the CNRS’s scientific priorities. The CNRS, together with INFN (Italy), initiated the Virgo project as early as 1991 and has been deeply involved in instrumental developments for over twenty years. These investments led to the first detection in 2015. And more than 300 sources have been detected since. This new messenger allows us to study the Universe from a dynamic perspective of mass and provides complementary information to data obtained by electromagnetic observatories.
Current observatories have transformed our understanding of the phenomena at play in the most massive objects, enabling their use as probes for cosmology and the study of strong-field gravity. The next generation of instruments, including the European Einstein Telescope (ET) and the space-based LISA detector, will allow us to observe a very large fraction of the Universe, all the way back to the formation of the first objects.
The CNRS plays a major role in these studies, with over a hundred scientists and as many engineers involved in this field. The proposed junior professorial chair aligns with this momentum, reinforcing the CNRS’s efforts and supporting the exploitation of these observatories.

International Strategy
The past decade has marked the beginning of a new era in cosmology and astrophysics. Indeed, the first detection of gravitational waves (GWs) has opened a new window on the Universe, providing previously inaccessible insights. This breakthrough has sparked significant global efforts to exploit these new observations, particularly in Europe, the United States, Japan, China, and India, reflecting the worldwide enthusiasm for future discoveries in cosmology and fundamental physics.
The recruited individual will be a member of the international Virgo collaboration, which operates one of the three currently active ground-based GW detectors. They will also join the LISA consortium, which is preparing the only space-based mission for GW detection: the European Space Agency’s (ESA) LISA mission, with NASA as a major junior partner. Their involvement will bring significant international visibility to both the L2IT and the Universite’ de Toulouse.

Open Science
The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results “as accessible as possible and closed as necessary”. As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher’s profession.

Science and society
The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project’s socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

Scientific dissemination
The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software… In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

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