Alvise Raccanelli

Academia

Cosmology and
fundamental physics

I study the large-scale structure of the Universe and use cosmological observations to test fundamental physics.

Academic research

The Universe
as a physics laboratory

My research connects theoretical predictions with galaxy surveys, gravitational waves and other cosmological observations.

Large-scale structure

Galaxy clustering, redshift-space distortions, relativistic and wide-angle effects, and unequal-time correlations as probes of gravity and cosmology. Developing the new generation of accurate statistical modeling.

Gravitational waves & dark matter

Multi-messenger cosmology, the connection between gravitational waves and galaxy surveys, to study fundamental physics. Primordial black holes as a possible component of dark matter and probes of the early Universe

Galaxy surveys

Planning, scientific strategy and analyses of galaxy surveys: from survey design and forecasting to measurements, data anlyses and their interpretation as tests of cosmology and fundamental physics.

New methods & observations

Machine learning for cosmological inference, AI for science and new algorithms applied to cosmology.
Design of future experiments.

Research appointments

Experience

University of Padova

Associate Professor · 2023–present

Previously Assistant Professor · 2020–2023

CERN

Fellow · Theoretical Physics · 2018–2020

Cosmology, astroparticle physics and gravity

University of Barcelona

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow · 2016–2018

Theoretical cosmology and large-scale structure

Mentor: Licia Verde

Johns Hopkins University

Postdoctoral Fellow · 2014–2016

Cosmology, primordial black holes and galaxy clustering

Mentors: Marc Kamionkowski, Joe Silk, Alex Szalay

Caltech & NASA JPL

Postdoctoral Scholar · 2011–2014

Large-scale structure and relativistic galaxy correlations

Mentor: Olivier Doré

Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation

PhD · Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation · 2008–2011

Cosmological structure growth and redshift-space distortions

Mentor: Will Percival

Papers

Selected papers

All my papers

Mentoring

Students & alumni

Some of the doctoral students I have supervised or mentored.

Doctoral supervision & mentoring

  • Francesco SpezzatiCurrently at Caltech
  • Federico SemenzatoCurrently at Cambridge
  • Jessie De KruijfCurrently at University of Padova
  • Jose Luis BernalCurrently at University of Santander
  • Nicola BellomoCurrently at University of Padova
  • Sarah Libanore
  • Eleonora VanzanCurrently at Tel Aviv University and Ben Gurion University

Teaching

Courses & teaching

Teaching archive. For current course arrangements and materials, please contact me using your university email.

Physics for medicine

2025/2026, 2026/2027

For information about the course, syllabus and teaching materials, contact me.

Astronomy

Degree in Mathematics · 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25

For information about the course, syllabus and teaching materials, contact me.

Introduction to astrophysics and cosmology

Degree in Physics · 2024/25

For information about the course and teaching materials, contact me.

Electromagnetism

Master’s degree in Geophysics for Natural Risks and Resources · 2020/21–2026/27

For information about the course and teaching materials, contact me.

Exploring the Universe with Gravitational Waves

PhD course in Physics · 2020/21–2023/24

For information about the course and teaching materials, contact me.

Physics Laboratory I

Degree in Astronomy · 2020/21, 2021/22

For information about the course, contact me.

Academic contact

Research & student inquiries

University of Padova · Department of Physics and Astronomy “Galileo Galilei”