Senior Researcher

Department of Physics, Denys Wilkinson Building, Oxford

The Department of Physics at the University of Oxford invites applications for the position of Senior Researcher in Techno signature Research within Breakthrough Listen, the world’s leading scientific programme dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to pioneering research at the intersection of radio astronomy, signal processing, machine learning, and large-scale scientific data analysis.

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the strategic and operational development of Breakthrough Listen, shaping its research priorities, managing stakeholder relationships, and driving interdisciplinary research at the forefront of SETI science.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead Research Strategy and Vision:
  Establish and develop a dedicated research group, initiate long-term research programmes, secure research funding, and chair key committees.
• Oversee Advanced Technical Computing:
  Lead the management and development of Breakthrough Listen’s computing infrastructure and assets within the SKA Lab, drawing on specialist expertise in high-performance computing (HPC), CUDA, and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technologies.
• Represent Breakthrough Listen Internationally:
  Serve as a leading representative of SETI research to industry, research councils, and international academic institutions; present findings at major international conferences; and build and strengthen global research collaborations.

The candidate will bring scientific and technical expertise, together with an international research profile, commensurate with that expected of a senior academic. They will also demonstrate a clear and ambitious vision for the future development of Breakthrough Listen and its associated research programmes at Oxford and internationally.

The candidate must hold a PhD/DPhil. Substantial experience in developing and implementing research strategies, recruiting and managing staff, overseeing budgets, securing research funding, and producing high-quality proposals, reports, and scientific publications is essential for this post.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, together with extensive experience of engaging with and balancing the needs of diverse international stakeholders, including funders, collaborators, human resources professionals, observatory directors, policymakers, early-career researchers, and the wider public.

For informal queries, please contact Therese Docherty there

The post is full time and fixed term for 2 years with possibility of extension.

The closing date for applications is 12 PM, Monday, 9 November 2026.