Join us
Group members have gone on to positions at Princeton, Caltech, Stanford, and the Max Planck Society. We invest in careers, not just projects.
Why work here
Research that gets published where it matters
Lightcurve publishes in Nature Astronomy, ApJ, ApJ Letters, PNAS, and Nature Physics. Our work appears in the mainstream press — the Indian Express, New Scientist, Vice, MIT Technology Review — and is cited by researchers at the world's leading astrophysics institutions.
We are small by design. Everyone who joins works directly with the PI and takes on projects with real stakes. There are no dead-end tasks and no queue to be heard.
What we look for
Physics background
Strong grounding in physics or applied mathematics, with experience in numerical methods, statistical inference, or signal processing. Python fluency and comfort with large datasets. Machine learning experience is a plus but not required.
ML background
Demonstrated machine learning skills — deep learning, Bayesian methods, or probabilistic modelling — with a curiosity about scientific applications. You don't need prior astrophysics experience; we'll teach you the domain.
Open positions
Research
Visiting research scholars
All levels — undergraduate through postdoctoral
We regularly host visiting scholars at all career stages. Projects span helioseismology, asteroseismology, exoplanet transit analysis, and geophysical inversion — typically requiring a background in physics or applied mathematics and comfort with scientific programming.
Outreach
Science communications manager
Part-time or full-time
We are looking for a science communicator to help broaden the group's public engagement — writing, editing, and producing accessible science content across digital platforms. Experience in science journalism or a related field is preferred.
How to apply
Write to us directly
Email [email protected] with the following:
A short note on your interests and what you'd like to work on
Your CV or résumé
Writing samples (for the communications role)
A research statement (for research positions)
We aim to respond within two weeks.
Life at TIFR
A campus worth working on
TIFR's campus sits on the waterfront at Colaba in south Mumbai — one of the most stimulating scientific environments in Asia. The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is home to researchers in observational, theoretical, and computational astrophysics.
On-campus accommodation is available for visiting researchers. The institute provides access to dedicated compute clusters and a well-stocked library. Mumbai is a city of extraordinary energy, culture, and food — and the campus is a calm ten-minute walk from it all.