Open Position: CPNSS Research Officer in Cosmology and the Edge of the Universe

The Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Sciences (CPNSS) is searching for a CPNSS Research Officer in Cosmology and the Edge of the Universe (Philosophy of Physics 2). Application deadline: 15 March 2026.

The successful candidate will work in the ERC-funded Philosophical Foundations of the Edge of the Universe (EDGE) project led by Prof Bryan W Roberts (PI), hosted at the vibrant LSE Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science: https://edgeoftheuniverse.org.

This position is for a post-doctoral researcher with expertise in philosophy of physics, with particular research interests in the philosophy of cosmology, especially as it relates to gauge and boundary conditions, to take place during the fixed term of the grant project for a total of three years.

The successful candidate will conduct innovative and significant research as part of the EDGE team, including working closely and collaboratively with Prof Roberts and other members of the EDGE project and scientific collaborators at other institutions. Whilst this Research Officer will make contributions across the breadth of the project, their work will primarily be focussed on its ‘cosmology’ strand, helping to connect this to the project’s broader study of the philosophical foundations of the edge of the universe.

The successful applicant will have:

• Successful completion or near-completion of PhD in the Philosophy or Foundations of Physics by the required start date.
• Strong research interests in the philosophy of physics, philosophy of cosmology, and the edge of the universe.
• Ability to develop a coherent, significant programme of research in the context of the research project.
• Ability to take responsibility for and work independently on specific project tasks, consulting and reporting to the PI appropriately, as well as working productively in a team environment.