Research Fellow in Radiation Belt Physics

The Solar and Space Plasma Physics Group is a large and growing group within the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University.  Our long-term research programme is to understand all aspects of the solar-terrestrial connection. Evidence of the group’s success includes funding from STFC, NERC, Leverhulme Trust, Royal Astronomical Society, the US Air Force, UKSA, and a UKRI Future Leader Fellow. The group also plays multiple roles in the UKRI SWIMMR (Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk) programme in support of the UK Met Office.

Applications are invited for a one-year postdoctoral research position in the area of Space Plasma Physics, with particular reference to the Earth’s Radiation Belts. The successful candidate will conduct research relevant to understanding how electromagnetic waves play a role in shaping the Earth’s Van Allen Radiation Belts. This position is funded by UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund Grant “Sat-Risk”, a national consortium to work with the UK Met Office in delivering state-of-the-art space weather tools for stakeholders.  You will work primarily with Professor Jonathan Rae but also with colleagues at Northumbria and in the wider Sat-Risk consortium including colleagues at the British Antarctic Survey, Sheffield and Imperial College.  Although this position is initially to provide maternity cover, there is potential for this post to be extended subject to further grant funding. 

As part of this role, you will help continue to develop and deliver an empirical model to the British Antarctic Survey, and pursue high-quality research into ULF waves and the radiation belts.  The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge of radiation belt dynamics and experience of statistical analysis, and a good working knowledge of a scientific programming language.  We are still operating in a global pandemic and welcome applications from those who would intend to work remotely. 

The successful candidate will join the Solar and Space Plasma Physics research group. Further details about the research group can be found here: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/mathematics-physics-and-electrical-engineering/research/solar-physics/.

Our research group and Department is committed to work-life balance and applications are welcome from applicants seeking part-time or flexible research opportunities. 

For more information on our equality and diversity commitments, please see https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Jonathan Rae at jonathan.rae@northumbria.ac.uk with any informal enquiries 

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now', and submit a covering letter, CV including research /education statements, and grants and publications list. Please highlight your highest quality research outputs (please indicate a rank from 1 to 4) up to a maximum of 4, since 2017.  In addition, candidates are asked to provide copies of the top 2 research outputs (Journal / book chapter /practice-based portfolio).Where possible candidates are asked to combine all of these documents into a single file.

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.

We welcome applications from the UK and across the world.Visit our web pages for details about the Information and Support for International Colleagues. 

Please note this vacancy will close on 03/06/2021