Topic: cosmic evolution

Laura Blecha’s group recruits a researcher to study supermassive black holes, gravitational-wave and multimessenger source populations, and the cosmic evolution of black holes and galaxies. The preferred start is 16 August 2027. The appointment renews annually for two years, with a possible third year subject to performance and funding. It provides a $60,000 salary, travel funding, benefits and access to the HiPerGator computing cluster. Applications received by 4 December 2026 receive full consideration; the listed closing date is 28 February 2027.

This seminar asks how massive black holes grew so quickly in the early Universe. It places the Milky Way's central black hole in the broader population of galactic nuclei, then examines the first billion years of growth. Exceptionally rapid early development challenges current explanations and shapes later cosmic evolution.