Dr David Mulryne

Profile

I am a Reader in Theoretical Cosmology and interim Director of Education for the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences. 

After receiving an MSci from Cambridge (2003) and a PhD from the Astronomy Unit at Queen Mary (2006), I held postdoctoral positions at DAMTP Cambridge, the Theory Group Imperial, and back at Queen Mary, before being awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and Proleptic Lectureship here in 2014. I remained a University Research Fellow until 2025 (the fellowship extended beyond the usual 8 year duration due to part time work and periods of shared parental leave), before continuing at Queen Mary as a reader.

My area of research is focused on theoretical aspects of cosmology and related areas. More information on my research group and interests can be found on the research and supervision tabs. I also have extensive experience of teaching, outreach, and public engagement work (further details on the relevant tabs).  

Since 2014 I have held various roles within the School including periods as Senior Tutor, Programme Director for Physics, and most recently Director of Education on an interim basis.

External to Queen Mary, I have been a member of various national grant panels and currently chair the theory sub-panel of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel. 

Teaching

Teaching at QMUL

I have experience of teaching a wide range of undergraduate and MSc courses in physics and astrophysics, and currently teach Electric and Magnetic fields SPA4210.

I also supervise BSc, MSci, and astrophysics MSc students for their research projects, and I regularly work with and supervise PhD students. 

Research

Research Interests:

See David Mulryne’s research profile pages including details of research interests, publications, and live grants.

Research team

Currently I work with and line manage two postdoctoral researchers at QMUL. Dr Laura Iacconi and Dr Luis Padilla.

And supervise PhD students Mr Ethan Milligan and Mr Andrea Costantini.

Supervision

I supervise PhD students in the area of early universe cosmology and related areas of theoretical physics.

Current students as lead supervisor:  Mr Ethan Milligan, Mr Andrea Costantini. 

Former students (as lead or co-lead supervisor): Dr Matthew Davies (2025), Dr Pedro Fernandes (2022), Dr Zac Kenton (2018), Dr Shailee Imrith (2019), Dr John Ronayne (2019).

PhD project summary for prospective students: Early universe physics.

Public Engagement

Outreach and engagement with society

I enjoy outreach work a lot and regularly lecture to visiting students at Queen Mary, and visit schools myself to give talks. I take part in various other outreach activities and am the astronomy unit outreach coordinator. If you are interested in me or another member of the Unit delivering an activity please get in touch. 

Talks I have available include various versions of an introduction to cosmology, and an introduction to cosmic inflation -- you can see one version delivered at the Royal Institution at this link; "How Big is the Universe?" aimed at  a younger audience; "Ping Ping Particle Physics” aimed at students studying GCSE or A-level physics, which includes a demonstration of a particle accelerator using a Van Der Graaf generator, a ping pong ball, and a saucepan lid. 

Recently I’ve led the purchase of a 5 metre Planetarium for teaching and outreach work, and deliver shows based around what’s up in the night sky. Much of the video content used me and others is generously provided for free by the British Fulldome Institute.