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Summer research opportunities in the Capra community for undergraduates:
The Capra science community is devoted to understanding some of the most extreme gravitational systems in the universe, by using perturbation theory to tackle the two-body problem in general relativity. Our central focus is on extreme mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs): systems in which a small object, such as a star or stellar-mass black hole, orbits and gradually spirals into a much larger black hole through the emission of gravitational waves.
Image credit: Lisa Drummond
EMRIs are remarkable for two reasons. First, they provide precise tests of Einstein’s theory of general relativity in the strongest gravitational fields. Second, they are expected to be key sources of gravitational waves for future space-based detectors such as LISA. Researchers in the Capra community develop theoretical frameworks, construct models, and perform simulated data analysis to understand how these systems evolve and how their gravitational-wave signals can be decoded to reveal the physics of black holes and strong gravity.
This page highlights opportunities for young researchers (i.e., undergraduate students) to join our community and explore the science behind Capra. Below, you will find a list of programs, particularly summer opportunities, some of which are paid, that provide the chance to work with a Capra researcher and gain hands-on experience in this exciting field.
Before contacting a researcher, it helps to:
Review the eligibility requirements of the program.
Identify what specifically excites you about their research.
Keep your message polite, clear, and brief.
Is this your first time contacting a researcher? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there and we are here to help, by providing an example email below!
Subject: Inquiry about research opportunity [opportunity name]
Dear [Researcher’s Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am [a student at ___ / currently studying ___]. I recently came across the opportunity [title of opportunity] ([link]), which caught my attention due to my interest in [specific area, e.g. gravitational waves, black hole physics, EMRIs]. [Very briefly state if you have any relevant background e.g. a coursework project or prior research experience]. I was interested in your work on [specific topic/paper/talk], and I wanted to ask if you might have availability to mentor a student through this opportunity. If not, I would be very grateful for any suggestions of colleagues who might be open to working with a student in this area.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
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