Astrophysics group | Astrophysics

About the group

The group carries out research into a wide range of topics involving astrophysical fluid dynamics and nonlinear dynamics. Specific astrophysical interests include the dynamics of astrophysical discs, planetary formation and evolution, extrasolar planetary systems and stellar magnetohydrodynamics (particularly dynamo theory, magnetoconvection and the physics of sunspots).

News and events

(Oct 2025) Well done to Dr Matthew Roberts who successfully defended his PhD thesis

(Oct 2025) Congratulations to Giulio del Zanna on his promotion to Research Professor.

(Oct 2025) Our group welcomes Deniz Akansoy, a new PhD student.

(July 2025) Congratulations to Helen Mason on the award of the 2025

European Solar Physics Division Kees Zwaan Inspirational Prize for the SunSpaceArt project.

(May 2025) Congratulations to Giulio del Zanna on the funding of an STFC Large Award for the Solar Atmospheric Modelling Suite in collaboration with Exeter, Warwick and Sheffield.

Vacancies

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research and Innovation Associate in the Atomic Astrophysics group. The successful candidate will work with Professor Giulio Del Zanna on producing advanced atomic models.

Applications are welcomed for PhD studentships in the Astrophysics group.

Numerous opportunities exist for research fellowships that can be held in, or in association with, the Astrophysics Group.

PhD opportunties

Applications are now invited for PhD applications with an October 2026 start. The application deadline for full consideration is 7 January 2026.

Astrophysical dynamics

Discs are ubiquitous in astrophysics and participate in some of its most important processes. Most, but not all, feed a central mass: by facilitating the transfer of angular momentum, they permit the accretion of material that would otherwise stay in orbit. As a consequence, discs are essential to star, planet and satellite formation. They also regulate the growth of supermassive black holes and thus indirectly influence galactic structure and the intra-cluster medium.

Atomic astrophysics

Atomic physics plays a key role in astrophysics as astronomers' only information about a particular object comes through the light that it emits, and this light arises through atomic transitions. The main astronomical body that we study is the Sun and, in particular, the hot atmosphere of the Sun called the corona. The best parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to study the corona are the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-rays.

Recent Publications

Note on a controlled interconversion between two minimal surfaces

RE Goldstein, A Pesci, HK Moffatt

– Journal of Fluid Mechanics

(2026)

1028,

A18

(doi: 10.1017/jfm.2026.11113)

Diagnostics for the solar chromosphere using neutral carbon Rydberg lines

RP Dufresne, CMJ Osborne, G Del Zanna

– Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

(2026)

stag076

(doi: 10.1093/mnras/stag076)

Dirac's equation, quantum electrodynamics, atomic and molecular structure

IP Grant, G Del Zanna

– The Philosophical Magazine A Journal of Theoretical Experimental and Applied Physics

(2026)

ahead-of-print,

(doi: 10.1080/14786435.2025.2604890)

Forced 3D Reconnection in an Exponentially Separating Magnetic Field

DN Hosking, IG Abel, SC Cowley

– Phys Rev Lett

(2025)

135,

255101

(doi: 10.1103/rd5d-93l7)

Non-linear spiral waves in accretion discs

JJ Brown, GI Ogilvie

– Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

(2025)

545,

staf2231

(doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf2231)

Astrophysics

About the group

News and events

Vacancies

PhD opportunties

Astrophysical dynamics

Atomic astrophysics

Recent Publications

DAMTP Astrophysics Seminars

Study at Cambridge

About the University

Research at Cambridge