########################################### Table of Contents ########################################### 1. Conferences 1.1. The Path to Quantum Gravity with Causal Sets, Manchester, UK 1.2. Ringdown in Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal 1.3. Gravitational Waves at the Fin del Mundo, La Serena, Chile 1.4. Avenues of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime 2026, Lisbon, Portugal 1.5. 8th Black Hole Nepal meeting: Many faces of stellar-mass black holes, Kathmandu, Nepal 1.6. CoCoNuT Meeting 2026, Southampton, UK 1.7. Third Pacific Gravity School: New Horizons on Gravitational Physics, Santiago, Chile 1.8. Relativity Reframed: Quantum Reference Frames and Gravity, Waterloo, ON, Canada 1.9. IGWN-PI School on Gravitational Waves, Waterloo, Canada 1.10. Illuminating the Cosmos: Chemical Elements in Stars, Planets, Nebulae, and Transient Extra-galactic Events, Heidelberg, Germany 1.11. The 2nd International Quantum Horizons Symposium, Banff, Canada 2. Jobs 2.1. Postdoc position in relativistic astrophysics, Warsaw, Poland 2.2. Postdoctoral Position in Theoretical Gravitational Physics, Bangalore, India 2.3. Assistant/Associate Professor in Theoretical Physics, Cambridge, UK 2.4. Expression of interest for postdoctoral positions in GW tests of general relativity, Rome, Italy 2.5. The Center of Gravity: exchange of researchers working on gravitational physics, Copenhagen, Denmark 2.6. Visiting Fellow Positions, Mumbai, India 3. News 3.1. 2026 Awards for Essays on Gravitation 3.2. Sixth Zeldovich meeting, Pescara, Italy (2nd announcement) ============================================== 1. Conferences ============================================== 1.1. The Path to Quantum Gravity with Causal Sets, Manchester, UK --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31058 Starting: 2026-09-07 to 2026-09-08 Location: Manchester, UK Additional Information: https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2026/09/path-to-quantum... Contact: ykyazdi[AT]stp.dias.ie Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce an upcoming conference on Causal Set Theory. Please see the details below: On 7 - 8 September 2026, the Royal Society will host a residential Theo Murphy meeting in Manchester, on the topic of quantum gravity and causal set theory. The meeting will be led by Dr Yasaman Yazdi from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and Dr Stav Zalel from the University of Cambridge. Causal set theory is an approach to quantum gravity where spacetime is discrete. During this meeting, speakers and panelists will take a critical look at the past, present and future of causal set theory. Researchers from inside and outside the field will discuss progress in kinematics, phenomenology and dynamics. This meeting is intended for researchers in relevant fields. Places are limited and advance registration is essential. More information about the speakers, programme and how to register for this meeting can be found on the website. Invited Speakers and Panelists: Emma Albertini (SISSA) Marian Boguna (U of Barcelona) Luca Bombelli (U of Mississippi) Steve Carlip (UC Davis) Bianca Dittrich (Perimeter Institute) Fay Dowker (Imperial College) Astrid Eichhorn (Heidelberg U) Steven Johnston Joshua Jones (DIAS) Dmitri Krioukov (Northeastern U) Renate Loll (Radboud U) David Meyer (UC San Diego) Christoph Minz (U of Hannover) Arad Nasiri (U of New Brunswick) Denjoe O'Connor (DIAS) David Rideout (UC San Diego) Rafael Sorkin (Perimeter Institute) Sumati Surya (RRI) Neil Turok (U of Edinburgh) Petros Wallden (U of Edinburgh) Ren Yeats (U of Waterloo) Nosiphiwo Zwane (U of Eswatini) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.2. Ringdown in Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/07/ringdown-in-lisbon/ Starting: 2026-10-19 to 2026-10-21 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Additional Information: https://fisica.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/en/ringdown-in-lisbon/ Contact: nicola.franchini[AT]tecnico.ulisboa.pt Ringdown-focussed workshops have been held in New York in February 2022 and in Copenhagen in August 2024. The next meeting will be hled in Lisbon in October 2026. In the last year, the realm of black hole quasi-normal modes have been more vibrant than ever. The large number of updates is recognisable in the rise of a vibrant, young and motivated community that is pushing the boundaries of where we can test the nature of black holes with gravitational waves observations. The aim of this workshop is to give a space to this community for relaxed discussion session and fostering the birth of collaborations. The maximum number of partecipants is 100 and priority is given to invited participants. You will need manual confirmation from the organisers to finalise the registration. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.3. Gravitational Waves at the Fin del Mundo, La Serena, Chile --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/07/gravitational-waves-at-the-fi... Starting: 2027-01-11 to 2027-01-22 Location: La Serena, Chile Additional Information: https://indico.global/event/17396/ Contact: gravitationalwavesfindelmundo[AT]protonmail.com We are pleased to announce the 4th Gravitational Wave School in Chile (January 11-15), continuing a proud tradition of training a new generation of latin-american scientists in this growing and exciting research field. This time, the event will be followed by the international conference Gravitational Waves at the Fin del Mundo (January 18-22), inviting world-leading experts in strong-field gravitational physics and astrophysics. Both events will be hosted in La Serena, Chile. The summer school has the objective to give easy access to graduate students - with priority to South American ones - on the realm of black hole physics. Historically Chile has a great impact in astronomy due to some of the clearest skies in the world. We see this school as an opportunity to train new generations of students from Chile and Latin America in general to gravitational waves astronomy too. The meeting will focus on recent developments in topics such as black hole perturbation theory, numerical relativity, gravitational waves data analysis, tests of general relativity with current and future gravitational waves detectors, and synergy with EM observations. 4th Gravitational Wave School: Lecturers - Katerina Chatzioannou (Caltech) - Alessandra Corsi (Johns Hopkins University) - Pablo Marchant (Ghent University) - Thomas Sotiriou (University of Nottingham) Gravitational Waves at the Fin del Mundo: Invited Speakers - Max Banados (Catholic University of Chile) - *Clecio R. Bom (Brazilian Center for Physics Research) - Vitor Cardoso (Niels Bohr Institute) - Cecilia Chirenti (University of Maryland) - Katy Clough (Queen Mary University of London) - Anuradha Gupta (University of Mississippi) - Natalia Korsakova (Universite' Cote d'Azur) - Luis Lehner (Perimeter Institute) - Caio Macedo (Federal University of Para') - *Rafaella Margutti (University of California, Berkeley) - Nicolas Yunes (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) *To be confirmed These events will be held at Universidad Central in La Serena, Chile. La Serena is a charming seaside, in a region renowned for its pisco production and tropical papayas. Most importantly, La Serena serves as the gateway to some of the world's most important astronomical facilities, including Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Cerro Tololo, Gemini, Las Campanas, and La Silla - making it the perfect location to explore the future of gravitational wave astrophysics. No registration fee is charged but a selected number of applicants will be accepted by the members of the organising committee. PhD students and young researchers are encouraged to apply, especially those from Latin America. We look forward to seeing you at La Serena next January ! The scientific organising committee Celeste Artale, Miguel Bezares, Nicola Franchini, Macarena Lagos, Juan Magana, Hanne Van Den Bosch +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.4. Avenues of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime 2026, Lisbon, Portugal --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31090 Starting: 2026-08-31 to 2026-09-04 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Additional Information: https://indico.rcnp.osaka-u.ac.jp/event/2769/overview Contact: avenues2026[AT]centra.tecnico.ulisboa.pt Quantum field theory in curved spacetime has emerged as a powerful framework for exploring the interplay between quantum phenomena and geometry, extending far beyond its traditional domains in gravitational physics and cosmology. Its rich formalism and concepts have found extensive applications in particle physics, nuclear physics, and condensed matter physics. These advances have not only uncovered novel intersections between quantum fields and gravity but have also inspired a vibrant landscape of original ideas and exciting new research directions. Now in its fifth edition, this five-day workshop will bring together researchers from diverse areas of quantum field theory who share an interest in its applications to curved spacetime. The event aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas on current and emerging topics, while fostering potential interdisciplinary collaborations in a stimulating and collegial environment. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.5. 8th Black Hole Nepal meeting: Many faces of stellar-mass black holes, Kathmandu, Nepal --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31096 Starting: 2026-10-12 to 2026-10-16 Location: Kathmandu, Nepal Additional Information: https://sites.google.com/view/bh-nepal-2026/home Contact: aolejak[AT]mpa-garching.mpg.de We are pleased to announce the 8th BH Nepal meeting: Many Faces of Stellar-Mass Black Holes, which will take place in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 12-16 October 2026. The aim of the conference is to bring together theorists and observers to discuss recent progress in the study of stellar-mass black holes, their formation and evolution, and their observational signatures across the electromagnetic spectrum and beyond. The main scientific topics will include: - Black hole mergers, - Spin measurements and the spin controversy, - X-ray polarization, - Jets, - Extended TeV emission, - Collapsars, - Ultraluminous sources with black holes. Please find invited speakers and all other available information on the website. We look forward to seeing you in Nepal! Greg Marcel and Andrzej Zdziarski for the Organizing Committee +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.6. CoCoNuT Meeting 2026, Southampton, UK --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31101 Starting: 2026-09-08 to 2026-09-11 Location: Southampton, UK Additional Information: https://indico.global/event/16917/ Contact: m.miravet-tenes[AT]soton.ac.uk Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce that the registration for CoCoNuT Meeting 2026 is now open. This year's edition will be held in Southampton, United Kingdom, from 8-11 September 2026. The registration fee is 60 GBP and includes coffee breaks and the conference dinner. Payment can be made via the online store linked on the conference website. The CoCoNuT Meeting is a series of workshops aimed at fostering collaboration among relativistic astrophysics groups, especially within Europe. The series has been taking place yearly since 2009, and this edition will be hosted at the University of Southampton (United Kingdom). This edition will focus on Magnetohydrodynamics, particularly in the context of core-collapse supernovae, neutron star mergers, and magnetars. The different topics will be introduced by the invited speakers, followed by contributed talks. Our invited speakers are: - Anna Neuweiler, Universitaet Potsdam. - Martin Obergaulinger, Universitat de Valencia. - Daniel Siegel, Universitaet Greifswald. There will also be a day-0 Workshop on the 8th of September on machine learning applications in numerical relativity, jointly organised with members of the CCP-UKNR community. There is no registration fee for participants attending only the day-0 workshop. Important dates: Registration opening: 14 May, 2026 Abstract submission deadline: 1 July, 2026 Communication of abstract acceptances: 15 July, 2026 Registration deadline: 31 August, 2026 We look forward to welcoming you to Southampton soon! On behalf of the local organising committee: Miquel Miravet-Tenes, Suprovo Ghosh, Nils Andersson, Ian Hawke, Tracy Storey. Scientific organising committee: Pablo Cerda'-Duran, Katy Clough, Isabel Cordero-Carrion, Eugene Lim, Jerome Novak, Micaela Oertel, Alejandro Torres-Forne'. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.7. Third Pacific Gravity School: New Horizons on Gravitational Physics, Santiago, Chile --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31106 Starting: 2026-06-22 to 2026-06-26 Location: Santiago, Chile Additional Information: https://gravitationinchile.cl/ Contact: cristian.erices[AT]ucentral.cl The Third Pacific Gravity School: New Horizons in Gravitational Physics will take place from June 22nd to June 26th in Santiago, Chile, at the "Carlos Blin" Auditorium of the Vicente Kovacevic II building, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Universidad Central de Chile. Now in its third edition, the school continues to bring together M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scientists working in gravitational physics, combining advanced training with current research in an atmosphere that encourages scientific exchange and new collaborations. This year's program features two intensive mini-courses by leading international researchers: Robert B. Mann (University of Waterloo, Canada) will lecture on Black Hole Chemistry: Phenomena, Holography, Criticality, and Eugeny Babichev (IJCLab, CNRS, Universite' Paris-Saclay, France) on Scalar-Tensor Modifications of Gravity. Together, these courses cover a broad and complementary range of open questions at the forefront of gravitational physics, and reflect a step forward in both the depth and the international reach of the school relative to previous editions. The broader program includes invited talks and seminars on cosmology, gravitational waves, holography, and compact objects, within the framework of general relativity and its modifications. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with leading figures in the field, fostering new collaborations and strengthening the international research network across the Pacific region. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.8. Relativity Reframed: Quantum Reference Frames and Gravity, Waterloo, ON, Canada --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31109 Starting: 2026-10-26 to 2026-12-30 Location: Waterloo, ON, Canada Additional Information: https://events.perimeterinstitute.ca/e/relativityreframed Contact: conferences@perimeterinstitute.ca We are excited to announce that registrations and the call for abstracts are now open for: Relativity Reframed: Quantum Reference Frames and Gravity, A conference to be held at Perimeter Institute on October 26th to 30th, 2026. Registration: https://events.perimeterinstitute.ca/event/2058/registrations/ Call for abstracts (deadline July 5th): https://events.perimeterinstitute.ca/event/2058/abstracts/ Confirmed speakers: Goncalo Araujo-Regado (OIST) Vijay Balasubramanian (University of Pennsylvania) Caslav Brukner (IQOQI Vienna) Thomas Galley (IQOQI Vienna) Kristina Giesel (FAU Erlangen-Nuernberg) Luca Illesiu (UC Berkeley) Daan Janssen (University of York) Viktoria Kabel (ETH Zurich) Leon Loveridge (University of South-Eastern Norway) Luca Marchetti (IPMU Tokyo / OIST) Don Marolf (UC Santa Barbara) Gautam Satishchandran (Princeton University) Antony Speranza (University of Amsterdam) Tomasz Taylor (Northeastern University) Jordan Wilson-Gerow (Carnegie-Mellon University) Ying Zhao (MIT) Kathryn Zurek (Caltech) Conference abstract: Quantum reference frames (QRFs) have emerged as a powerful and rapidly developing framework in fundamental physics, providing a systematic approach to formulating theories without fixed classical backgrounds. By making explicit the relational structure of physical laws, QRFs supply concrete tools to define subsystems, observables, and quantum information in diffeomorphism-invariant and dynamically fluctuating spacetimes. Their applications span quantum gravity, algebraic and curved-spacetime quantum field theory, quantum information, cosmology, and phenomenology, refining our understanding of locality, causality, symmetry, and measurement beyond semiclassical regimes. In gravitational settings, QRFs clarify relational observables, edge modes, soft degrees of freedom, and entanglement in quantum spacetime, and shed new light on the role of observers in dynamical geometries. This conference will convene researchers advancing these developments at a pivotal stage for the field. By bringing together high-energy theory, quantum foundations, and emerging experimental directions, the workshop aims to sharpen central conceptual questions, explore phenomenological implications, and strengthen the link between formal structure and operational meaning. The goal is to consolidate QRFs as a coherent framework for describing observers, information, and subsystems in a relational universe. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.9. IGWN-PI School on Gravitational Waves, Waterloo, Canada --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/22/igwn-pi-school-on-gravitation... Starting: 2026-08-10 to 2026-08-14 Location: Waterloo, Canada Additional Information: https://events.perimeterinstitute.ca/event/2057/ Contact: conferences[AT]perimeterinstitute.ca The International Gravitational Wave Network (IGWN) School is an intensive one-week program designed for graduate students and early-career researchers seeking to contribute to gravitational wave astronomy through engagement with the global LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration. The school will offer a comprehensive introduction to the science, infrastructure, techniques, and collaborative practices that underpin modern gravitational-wave astronomy given by leading scientists from across this international network of advanced gravitational-wave detectors. Participants will explore the many aspects of gravitational wave observations - from detector operations and characterization to data analysis and astrophysical interpretation - gaining the practical knowledge and methodological tools needed to contribute effectively to this large, worldwide scientific effort. Through lectures, tutorials, and interactive sessions, this program aims to foster a new generation of researchers capable of actively participating in a global collaboration of thousands of scientists working together to make groundbreaking discoveries. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.10. Illuminating the Cosmos: Chemical Elements in Stars, Planets, Nebulae, and Transient Extra-galactic Events, Heidelberg, Germany --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31132 Starting: 2026-11-09 to 2026-11-13 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Additional Information: https://indico.nbi.ku.dk/e/RTII Contact: bergemann[AT]mpia-hd.mpg.de The workshop will take place at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg on November 9 - 13, 2026. This will be the second meeting in the series, following the "NBIA Radiative Transfer in Astrophysics" workshop held at the Niels Bohr International Academy in June 2022. NEWS We're particularly excited and proud to announce that the Gruber Cosmology Award 2026 Ceremony will take place during the workshop. Alexei V. Filippenko, Ken'ichi Nomoto, and Stanford Woosley will receive the award for "transforming supernovae from poorly understood stellar explosions into the basis for a quantitative, predictive, and empirically validated framework", and the award ceremony will take place on November 10 at Haus der Astronomie. As with its predecessor, the RT II meeting is designed to be highly interdisciplinary, with a focus on non-LTE and non-equilibrium radiative transfer, as well as 3D radiation hydrodynamics. We will address a wide range of astrophysical environments, including atmospheres of low-mass and massive stars, exoplanetary atmospheres, black hole accretion disks, tidal disruption events, kilonovae, and supernovae. This year, in light of the rapidly increasing quality and quantity of observational data (e.g., Galactic spectroscopic surveys, Gaia, LSST, JWST, among others), we would like to place particular emphasis on the application of these methods to pressing astrophysical problems. We aim to explore how 3D NLTE models can provide a fresh and innovative perspective on astrophysical diagnostics and chemical composition of these objects, paving the way to the exploitation of ground-based extremely large telescopes and next-generation space facilities, like Nancy Grace Roman, Habitable Worlds Observatory, and ULTRASAT. Workshop Topics Stellar Atmospheres Exoplanetary Atmospheres Accretion Discs Tidal Disruption Events Supernovae Kilonovae Registration and Abstract Submission Registration and abstract submission are now open; both will close in June 2026. Venue and Organizational Aspects The workshop will take place at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. The lectures will take place in the House of Astronomy next to MPIA. MPIA will provide infrastructure in the form of discussion rooms to facilitate collaborations and discussions in smaller groups. A social dinner for all participants will be organized during the workshop. There will be no registration fee to attend the meeting. SOC Maria Bergemann (MPIA), Chair Melina Bersten (La Plata University) Shane Davis (University of Virginia) Luca Fossati (Space Research Institute Graz) Anders Jerkstrand (Stockholm University), Co-Chair Martin Pessah (NBIA), Co-Chair Jon Sundqvist (KU Leuven) LOC Susanne Koltes Maria Bergemann Invited Speakers Andrew Chael Christine Collins Jane Dai Lara Delbroek Antonio Garcia Munoz Kenta Hotokezaka Daria Kubyshkina Brenna Mockler James Stone Nicholas Storm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.11. The 2nd International Quantum Horizons Symposium, Banff, Canada --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31135 Starting: 2026-07-22 to 2026-07-24 Location: Banff, Canada Additional Information: https://www.quantumhorizonsab.ca/iqh-2026 Contact: saurya.das[AT]uleth.ca Join us at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity from July 22-24, 2026, for a deep dive into the next era of quantum discovery. Hosted by Quantum Horizons Alberta, this symposium serves as a premier global stage for visionary thinkers and leading experts to share groundbreaking research. Against the stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, we aim to catalyze the conversations that will define the future of the field. Beyond our invited talks, the heart of the symposium lies in our dedicated poster sessions, designed to spark collaborative breakthroughs and rigorous discussion across all disciplines of quantum science. Secure Your Place! With limited capacity to ensure high-quality interactions, early registration is encouraged. Registration Fee: CA$600 (includes full program and snacks; students and postdocs may be eligible for accommodation coverage) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 2. Jobs ============================================== 2.1. Postdoc position in relativistic astrophysics, Warsaw, Poland ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/03/postdoc-position-in-relativis... Deadline: 2026-06-20 Location: Warsaw, Poland Additional Information: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/430253 Contact: agnes[AT]cft.edu.pl Relativistic Astrophysics group at the CTP PAS, led by prof. Agnieszka Janiuk, Center for Theoretical Physics PAS, Warsaw, Poland, would like to offer a 3-year full time postdoctoral position, within the project "Dynamics of processes around compact stars" funded by Polish B=National Science Center, NCN . The primary responsibilities include scientific research related to the scope of the project. Additional duties will include consulting some of the tasks conducted by PhD students in our team. There are no teaching duties, as we are research institute of the PAS. Required documents: - The scientific CV, including the progress in the university studies, scientific achievements (publications, participation in research projects and conferences), with the clause "I agree to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents for the purposes necessary for the implementation of the process recruitment by CTP PAS". - Cover letter. - A copy of the PhD degree diploma. - Copies of documents confirming scientific or professional achievements (for candidates without PhD at the time of application, a statement from their Supervisor is required, regarding prospective date of defence). - At least two letters of recommendation from a faculty researcher with at least a PhD degree, concerning the candidate and his/her current scientific activity. - Research plan related to the scope of the project. - Signed Data Privacy Statement. Documents should be sent by email, to: recruitment[AT]cft.edu.pl, by 20.06.2026, with the reference number ("AJ/08/2026") in the subject line. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2. Postdoctoral Position in Theoretical Gravitational Physics, Bangalore, India ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/04/postdoctoral-position-in-theo... Deadline: 2026-05-23 Location: Bangalore, India Additional Information: https://www.iiap.res.in/iia_jobs/ Contact: sanved.kolekar[AT]iiap.res.in The Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, India, invites applications for a postdoctoral (Research Associate-I) position in theoretical gravitational physics funded by the ANRF Advanced Research Grant. The position is part of an active research program in black hole physics and strong-field gravity, aimed at exploring fundamental aspects of gravity in both classical and quantum regimes. The work broadly connects to questions involving black hole spacetimes, tests of general relativity and its extensions, quantum effects near horizons, and the nature of ultra-compact objects. There is particular interest in linking theoretical developments with observational signatures, including those relevant for black hole imaging, using a combination of analytical and semi-analytical techniques. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Physics with a strong background in general relativity, black hole physics, or closely related areas. Applicants are expected to demonstrate high-quality research output and the ability to carry out independent research. Tenure: The appointment will be for an initial period of one year, extendable up to a total duration of 2.5 years, based on satisfactory performance. Salary: Rs. 57,000 per month + HRA (as applicable) per month. Application Procedure: Interested candidates should apply through the online portal (https://www.iiap.res.in/iia_jobs/) by submitting a Curriculum Vitae including a publication list, a research statement, and the names and contact details of at least two referees, along with any additional documents specified in the application. Contact: Informal inquiries may be addressed to Sanved Kolekar (sanved.kolekar[AT]iiap.res.in) Deadline: May 23, 2026 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3. Assistant/Associate Professor in Theoretical Physics, Cambridge, UK ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/08/assistant-associate-professor... Deadline: 2026-06-14 Location: Cambridge, UK Additional Information: https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/55235/ Contact: sah40[AT]cam.ac.uk Applications are invited for an Assistant/Associate Professor in Theoretical Physics to commence on 01 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. An appointment will be made at an appropriate point on the scale for either an Assistant or Associate Professor. The appointment will be for a probationary period of five years with appointment to the retiring age thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance. Appointment as Associate Professor will typically require a demonstrable history of exceptional achievement. The successful candidate will have a PhD in Mathematics, Physics or closely related subject area, and have an outstanding record of research in fundamental theoretical physics, interpreted broadly. The applicant will be expected to give undergraduate and Masters-level lectures (including in particular being able to contribute to the very popular theoretical physics courses within Part III Mathematics), taking feedback from students and providing them with career or pastoral advice, and perform other usual departmental duties such as those associated with examinations. They will be expected to investigate new areas of research and funding opportunities and submit grant applications. They will also be required to write papers for publication, attend conferences, network with national/international colleagues and give presentations. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4. Expression of interest for postdoctoral positions in GW tests of general relativity, Rome, Italy ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31118 Deadline: 2026-06-19 Location: Rome, Italy Additional Information: https://forms.gle/URxfJo4tSMSrTGGVA Contact: elisa.maggio[AT]roma1.infn.it We invite expressions of interest for postdoctoral positions at the Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) in Rome, Italy. The postdoctoral positions will be funded under the Italian Fund for Science (FIS) Starting Grant Eyes-on-GR, whose goal is testing general relativity with multiband gravitational-wave observations. We are particularly eager to receive expressions of interest from candidates with experience in (i) data analysis with current and next-generation detectors (ii) modeling deviations from general relativity in modified theories of gravity and horizonless compact objects. The postdocs will join the new research group Eyes-on-GR led by Dr. Elisa Maggio at INFN Rome, Italy. INFN Rome is located inside Sapienza University, one of the largest Universities in Europe. The postdocs will have the possibility to join the Virgo, Einstein Telescope and LISA groups in Rome. The INFN Virgo Rome group has about 35 researchers including PhD students, postdocs and 18 faculty. The postdoctoral positions are expected to start between Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 and can last 2+1 years. All candidates must hold or soon be completing a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy or Astrophysics. Interested candidates should send (i) a motivation letter, (ii) a curriculum vitae, indicating the date the PhD was or will be awarded (iii) a research statement, and (iv) two contacts for reference letters. Expressions of interest should be sent via the Google Form in the external link, and reference letters should be sent to Elisa Maggio (elisa.maggio[AT]roma1.infn.it). Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline for full consideration of the expressions of interest including reference letters is June 19th, 2026. Please, fell free to forward this announcement to potential candidates. For any other information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Elisa Maggio (elisa.maggio[AT]roma1.infn.it). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5. The Center of Gravity: exchange of researchers working on gravitational physics, Copenhagen, Denmark ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/28/the-center-of-gravity-exchang... Deadline: 2026-07-31 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Additional Information: https://the-center-of-gravity.com/ Contact: vitor.cardoso[AT]nbi.ku.dk Grants for short term scientific missions (STSMs) are available to visit and work on research projects within the Center of Gravity, a DNRF Center of Excellence at the Niels Bohr Institute. We are inviting you to submit proposals for STMSs starting after October 1, 2026 and ending before April 30, 2027 (applications outside this timeframe will be discarded). We are looking for exciting and challenging research proposals to be developed jointly with our members. We value high risk/high gain proposals at the boundary between different research directions within CoG. STSMs are a great opportunity for all scientists within the community to exchange visits, nurture collaborations, or develop new ones. This call starts on June 15 and closes July 31, 2026. All proposals will be reviewed and the results will be announced by Sept 1, 2026. The selection committee will take into account the matching of funds by the host, gender diversity, the scientific proposal and the experience of the applicant (preference is given to Early Career Investigators). A STSM application should include, 1. Name and contact of applicant and name of CoG member with whom the visit was discussed 2. A single pdf with - proposal title - brief CV of the applicant (2 pages) - short description of the proposed project work (1 page max) - motivation letter (1 page max) - estimate and breakup of the financial request (specify if host will provide matching funds). Typical STSM lasts between 1- 6 weeks. - a support letter from the Home Institution Applications should be made following this link, https://the-center-of-gravity.com/join-us/ We encourage all applicants to apply for funding or co-funding to visit the CoG with either their home institute or one of the following COST Actions CA23130, CA23115, CA22113, CA22113, CA21136. For the successful applicants, The Center of Gravity will cover economy-class flights, train, or bus tickets and provide hotel accommodation near the Institute during part or for the full stay. Details will be provided upon acceptance. After the STSM, the grantee is required to submit a short scientific report (one page max). The report should contain the purpose of the STSM, a description of the work carried out during the STSM, a description of the main results and other comments (if any). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6. Visiting Fellow Positions, Mumbai, India ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=31126 Deadline: 2026-07-04 Location: Mumbai, India Additional Information: https://forms.gle/LDNts3v8YAMNsomQ8 Contact: chairdaa[AT]tifr.res.in The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics (DAA; https://www.tifr.res.in/~daa/) at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai invites applications from qualified candidates for Visiting Fellow (post-doctoral) positions. Research pursued at DAA is diverse and includes projects involving instrument-building (Infrared, X-Ray and Radio), observational, theoretical, and computational efforts. Science topics pursued in the department include extrasolar planets, star and planet formation, interstellar medium, the Galactic center, star clusters and stellar dynamics, resolved transients, gravitational waves, seismology, Solar astrophysics, pulsars, accreting black hole and neutron stars, compact-object binaries, X-ray astronomy including science using AstroSat data, gravitational waves including science using InPTA, IPTA, and Ligo-Virgo-Kagra data, cosmology, multi-messenger astronomy, and astronomical big data analysis using machine learning techniques. While there will be a primary mentor at DAA, this position allows the fellows to also pursue their own research projects independently or with any faculty within the department. Qualification: At the time of joining, the candidate must have completed her/his Ph. D. (Successfully defended thesis). Duration: The position is initially for one year with a possibility of extensions for up to a total three years upon satisfactory performance. Benefits: In addition to a competitive salary, the position comes with a competitive research contingency grant, health benefits, and accommodation assistance (accommodation on campus as per availability, or HRA). Deadline for application: July 4, 2026 Application procedure: The application should be submitted via this form. https://forms.gle/LDNts3v8YAMNsomQ8 Please read the instructions carefully. Applications submitted in incorrect format or with missing information may not be considered. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 3. News ============================================== 3.1. 2026 Awards for Essays on Gravitation ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/14/2026-awards-for-essays-on-gra... Additional Information: http://www.gravityresearchfoundation.org GRAVITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION PO BOX 81389 WELLESLEY HILLS MA 02481-0004 USA Roger W. Babson, Founder George M. Rideout, Jr., President The trustees are pleased to announce the Awards for Essays for 2026. 1. $4,000 - The Gravitational Spectral Radio Forest: A Signature of Primordial Black Holes by P. George Christopher, email: p.georgechristopher[AT]iitb.ac.in, K. Hari, email: hari.k[AT]iitb.ac.in and S. Shankaranarayanan, email: shanki[AT]iitb.ac.in, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India 2. $700 - Monogamous Entanglement Cheats at the Price of Complexity by Aude Corbeel, email: a.n.i.corbeel[AT]uva.nl and Erik Verlinde, email: E.P.Verlinde[AT]uva.nl, Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GL Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3. $600 - How Much Can Gravitons Be Squeezed? by Panagiotis Dorlis (1), email: panos_dorlis[AT]mail.ntua.gr, Nick E. Mavromatos (1,2,3), email: nikolaos.mavromatos[AT]kcl.ac.uk, Sarben Sarkar (2), email: sarben.sarkar[AT]kcl.ac.uk and Sotirios-Neilos Vlachos (1), email: sovlacho[AT]gmail.com. (1) Physics Division, School of Applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus GR15780, Athens, Greece; (2) Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology Group, Physics Department, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK; (3) Associate member, Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing, National Observatory of Athens, 15236 Penteli, Greece 4. $500 - Approaching the Surface of an Exotic Compact Object by Shokoufe Farajia,c and Samir D. Mathurb,c, aDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada, email: s3faraji[AT]uwaterloo.ca; bDepartment of Physics, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210, USA, email: mathur.16[AT]osu.edu; cPerimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5, Canada 5. $400 - Apocalypse When? Solar System Constraints on an Imminent Big Rip, by Robert J. Scherrer, email: robert.scherrer[AT]vanderbilt.edu and Oem Trivedi, email: oem.trivedi[AT]vanderbilt.edu, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA Selected for Honorable Mention this year were (listed in alphabetical order): S. Adler; Ozgur Akarsu, Leandros Perivolaropoulos, A. Emrah Yukselci and Alexander Zhuk; Dylan Akosah; Geova Alencar; Tom Banks; L. Benkoula, K. Chima, J. Kingsbury, K. Marroquin, M. Yim and T. Curtright; Panos Betzios, Paul Ghiringhelli, Ioannis D. Gialamas and Olga Papadoulaki; Andrea Di Biagio; Christian Boehmer and Eissa Al-Nasrallah; Kevin Cahill and Richard Matzner; Leonardo Chataignier, Claus Kiefer and Mritunjay Tyagi; Sayantan Choudhury; Lawrence Crowell; Charlie Cummings and Jonathan J. Heckman; Christine C. Dantas; Max Joseph Fahn and Alessandro Pesci; Thomas Forget, M. B. Paranjape and Urjit Yajnik; Marco Galoppo and Giorgio Torrieri; Jorge Gamboa and Natalia Tapia-Arellano; Shan Gao; Maurizio Gasperini; Eduardo Guendelman; Gustavo S. Habermann and Daniel A. Turolla Vanzellaz; Raymond Isichei; Vishnu Kakkat, Ulrich K. Beckering Vinckers, Nigel T. Bishop, Amos S. Kubeka, Monos Naidoo, Udaykrishna Thattarampilly and Petrus J. van der Walt; Dmitris S. Kallifatides, Theodoros Papanikolaou and Emmanuel N. Saridakis; Eleni-Alexandra Kontou; Naman Kumar; Rodrigo Maier; D. G. C. McKeon, F. T. Brandt, J .Frenkel and S. Martins-Filho; Makoto Natsuume; Manju Prakash; Vaishak Prasad, Monica Rincon-Ramirez, Nathan K. Johnson-McDaniel, Eugenio Bianchi, Ish Gupta and B. S. Sathyaprakash; Karthik Rajeev; M.M. Sheikh-Jabbari and V. Taghiloo; Natarajan Shriethar; Urvi Sinha; Kristian Toccacelo; Jenny Wagner; Lan Wang. This announcement and abstracts of award-winning and honorable mention essays are posted on our web site, http://www.gravityresearchfoundation.org. The five award-winning essays are also posted on our website and will be published in the October 2026 SPECIAL ISSUE of the International Journal of Modern Physics D (IJMPD). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.2. Sixth Zeldovich meeting, Pescara, Italy (2nd announcement) ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2026/05/30/second-announcement-of-the-si... Additional Information: https://indico.icranet.org/event/11/ The list of confirmed invited speakers includes: Yerlan Aimuratov, Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute Carlos Arguelles, CONICET Elia Battistelli, Sapienza University of Rome Laura Becerra, Universidad Mayor Angela Bongiorno, Rome Observatory Sergei Bulanov, ERIC-ELI/ELI-Beamlines Marta Burgay, Cagliari Observatory Bin Chen, Ningbo University Jens Chluba, Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, University of Manchester Valentina Crespi, University of La Plata Jaan Einasto, Tartu Observatory Marat Gilfanov, IKI Manuel Hohmann, University of Tartu Mile Karlica, Belgrade Observatory Chul Min Kim, CoReLS and IBS Vadzim Krautsou, University of Turku Jutta Kunz, University of Oldenburg Federico Lelli, Arcetri Observatory Di Li, Tsinghua University Vladimir Lipunov, SAI, MSU Wentao Luo, USTC Felix Mirabel, IAFE-Univ.BsAs-Argentina, DAP-CEA Saclay-France Hernando Quevedo, National Autonomous University of Mexico Jorge Rueda, ICRANet-Ferrara Remo Ruffini, ICRANet Narek Sahakyan, ICRANet-Armenia Giorgio Sonnino, International Solvay Institutes and Universite' Libre de Bruxelles Rashid Sunyaev, IKI and MPA Arman Tursunov, Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences Yuanbin Wu, Nankai University Bing Zhang, University of Nevada Las Vegas Abstract submission deadline: June 15, 2026. Registration fees: 450 Euros (regular fee); 200 Euros (applied to students and retired scientists). It will cover conference kit, coffee breaks, and publication of the conference papers. Conference proceedings will be published in Astronomy Reports, distributed by Springer by the end of 2026. Poster of the meeting: https://indico.icranet.org/event/11/attachments/630/1227/posterZ6.pdf Official website: https://indico.icranet.org/event/11/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++