Opportunities

Join NAP Lab

We welcome motivated researchers at all levels with interest in nuclear physics, neutron star astrophysics, gravitational waves, or dark matter.

🌍 Looking elsewhere too? Jump to worldwide PhD/Postdoc listings ↓

Why join NAP Lab?

Research

Work at the frontier of nuclear astrophysics — neutron stars, gravitational waves, and dark matter — with cutting-edge computational tools and real astrophysical data.

Network

Strong international collaborations (LIGO-India/IUCAA, University of Tsukuba, IOP Bhubaneswar) via CEFIPRA and SERB-funded projects.

Training

Training in both nuclear theory (RMF, perturbation equations) and computational astrophysics (TOV solvers, oscillation codes, Bayesian inference).

Open Science

Commitment to reproducibility: open-source codes, Zenodo data releases, and public EoS tables for community use.

Current Research Topics

What you could work on

NS Asteroseismology

Radial and non-radial oscillation modes (f/p/w-modes) in full GR, universal relations, proto-neutron star oscillations.

Dark Matter in NSs

WIMP/fermionic dark matter admixed neutron stars; multi-messenger constraints; PSR J0952-0607 and HESS J1731-347.

Multi-Messenger & GW

GW170817 parameter estimation, NICER X-ray constraints, EoS Bayesian inference with LIGO/NICER/radio data.

Nuclear EoS

Relativistic mean-field models; hyperons; delta-baryons; quarkyonic matter; twin-star configurations from phase transitions.

Thermal Evolution

Proto-neutron star cooling, finite-temperature EoS, Urca processes, superfluidity and pairing gaps in dense matter.

Computational Tools

Contributing to open-source TOV solvers, EoS table generation, oscillation mode codes, and compact-common infrastructure.


For Postdocs

Postdoc

SERB National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (NPDF)

Two-year fellowship for young researchers within 2 years of PhD. We welcome proposals in nuclear astrophysics, oscillation modes, GW constraints, or dark matter in compact stars.

Apply via SERB NPDF ↗
Postdoc

DST WISE-PDF (Women Scientists)

WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology for women scientists in physics and astrophysics. Strong applicants encouraged to contact us.

Apply via DST WISE-PDF ↗
Postdoc

WISE SCOPE Fellowship

International collaboration postdoctoral fellowship under DST WISE for researchers working on India–international collaborative projects.

Apply via DST WISE SCOPE ↗
External Fellowship

Bring Your Own Fellowship

If you hold or plan to apply for a fellowship from CSIR, NBHM, or an international source (Marie Curie, JSPS, Newton, etc.), contact us to discuss hosting.

kumarbh@nitrkl.ac.in ↗

For PhD Students

PhD

DST WISE Fellowship for Ph.D.

WISE Fellowship supporting women PhD candidates in physics. Work on neutron star astrophysics, gravitational waves, or dark matter with full stipend and research contingency.

Apply via DST WISE ↗
PhD

NIT Rourkela PhD Fellowship

Regular institute-funded PhD positions in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Check official announcements each semester for openings in our group.

See NITR Announcements ↗
PhD

CSIR / UGC / JEST / GATE Qualified

Candidates who have qualified national-level examinations (JEST, GATE Physics, CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF) are welcome to apply directly.

Contact Dr. Kumar →

For Master Students

Students enrolled at NIT Rourkela in M.Sc. Physics or Integrated M.Sc. programmes are welcome to work on thesis projects with our group. Projects are available in computational astrophysics, nuclear theory, and gravitational wave phenomenology. Please send your CV and a short note on your interests to arrange a discussion.

Send CV → Meet current students →

How to apply

Email Dr. Bharat Kumar with: (1) your CV, (2) a brief statement of research interest (1–2 paragraphs), and (3) names of 2 references. For fellowship applications (SERB, DST WISE, etc.), contact us before submitting so we can coordinate on the proposal.

kumarbh@nitrkl.ac.in Our Research →

🌍 PhD & Postdoc Positions Worldwide

Beyond NAP Lab, here are live job boards and a few specific current openings in nuclear physics, astrophysics, and gravitational waves around the world. These boards are updated continuously — check back often.

Live job boards (continuously updated)

Academic Jobs Online — Physics
Faculty, postdoc & PhD listings across all physics subfields worldwide.
Browse listings ↗
Academic Jobs Online — Astrophysics
Dedicated astrophysics & astronomy postdoc/PhD/faculty board.
Browse listings ↗
LIGO/LAAC Job Postings Wiki
PhD & postdoc openings specifically in gravitational-wave detector science and data analysis.
Browse listings ↗
LISA Consortium — Positions
PhD & postdoc openings in gravitational-wave theory, data analysis, and space-based detectors (LISA).
Browse listings ↗
Hyperspace@gu — PhD Jobs
PhD positions in gravitational theory, numerical relativity, and cosmology, mostly in Europe.
Browse listings ↗
Hyperspace@gu — Postdoc Jobs
Postdoctoral positions in gravitational physics and related theory.
Browse listings ↗
FRIB Theory Alliance — Jobs
Faculty, postdoc & INT job openings in nuclear theory and computational nuclear astrophysics.
Browse listings ↗
scholarshipdb.net — Gravitational Wave Positions
Aggregated PhD/postdoc/faculty listings tagged specifically for gravitational-wave research.
Browse listings ↗

A few specific current openings

Postdoc — INFN Rome / Virgo (Eyes-on-GR)
Testing GR with multiband GW observations. Starting Fall 2026–Spring 2027.
Details ↗
Multiple Postdocs — ICTP-AP / UCAS, China
Gravitational-wave and dark-matter physics & phenomenology, with the LIGO group at UCAS.
Details ↗
Postdoc — ICCUB, University of Barcelona
3-year postdoc in GW physics — parameter estimation, neutron star asteroseismology, NR simulations.
Details ↗
PhD — IGFAE, Santiago de Compostela / ICE-CSIC, Spain
PhD positions in theoretical astrophysics and gravitational-wave astronomy.
Details ↗
Postdocs — Peking University (Theoretical Nuclear Physics)
Ab initio nuclear theory and nuclear/particle interface, applications to dark matter & nuclear astrophysics.
Details ↗

Listings change frequently — always verify deadlines and details on the official job board or institution page before applying.