Research Fellow in Heliospheric Physics (2 Posts available) Part-time

Research Fellow in Heliospheric Physics

Exciting opportunities have arisen for 2 Research Fellows to join the Department of Space and Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory), University College London (UCL).

Both post are available from on a fixed term contract with a start date 'as soon as possible' for 36 months.

Post 1 has been awarded funding to pursue original research addressing key questions relating to how processes such as wave-particle interactions and collisions shape the solar wind electron populations and what implications these have on the global heliosphere.

Post 2 has been awarded funding to pursue an integrated original research programme that combines observations and theoretical/numerical analyses, aimed at transforming our understanding of kinetic instabilities in space plasmas. The postholder will combine the latest spacecraft measurements from Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter with our cutting-edge ALPS code to answer the question: “When and where do kinetic micro-instabilities impact the solar wind?

The post holders will join the Space Plasma Physics Group in the Department of Space and Climate Physics and perform scientific research into the origins, evolution and fundamental processes of the solar wind and/or the solar atmosphere. The appointees will be expected to perform scientific investigations using the state-of-the-art SWA data which are being collected by MSSL's PI/Co-PI instruments on Solar Orbiter (launched in February 2020), together with relevant datasets from other instruments on the mission, and from other missions such as Parker Solar Probe.

A full job description can be found below this advert.

The successful candidates are expected to hold or expect to hold a PhD in Physics (closely related disciplines will also be considered), along with a knowledge of fundamental space plasma physics and experience of space plasma physics research. They will have the ability to develop and apply complex data analysis routines using environments such as Python, Fortran, C, C++, IDL, Matlab, and be able to present results of complex scientific studies effectively through scientific publication, written and oral presentations. Familiarity with UNIX, LINUX and/or Windows operating systems is desirable but not essential.

Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD. If this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B £39,148 – £41,833 including London Allowance with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

Please review the job description, paying particular attention to the Essential and Desirable criteria, and ensure these are covered in your application.

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

A full job description including person specification, eligibility and application requirements can be accessed via the links below.

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our long-term commitment and 'beacon' status in advancing gender equality. We are in the process of applying for an Institute of Physics Inclusion Award.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/