Dr. Oliver Philcox

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Oliver Philcox is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Stanford University, with a research focus on theoretical, statistical, and observational cosmology, specifically in applying galaxy surveys to study the Cosmic Microwave Background. He has worked extensively on measuring, modeling, and interpreting both new and old physics across a broad range of cosmological datasets to understand early Universe and inflation. Philcox is also a Junior Fellow in the Simons Society of Fellows from 2022 to 2025, during which he has collaborated with Mikhail Ivanov and Marko Simonovic on research that resulted in the 2024 New Horizons Prize in Physics for their work on Effective Field Theory in Large Scale Structure. He is affiliated with the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology and the Leinweber Institute for Theoretical Physics at Stanford.

Research Interests

Courses

PHYSICS 361 PHYSICS 490

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.