The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world. 

We are part way through a programme of bringing in talented and inspirational researchers to the University of Surrey to create a network of future world leaders in their areas of research. We invite you to come and be part of this hugely exciting programme.

About the Programme

When you join the Surrey Future Fellowship (SFF) programme, you’ll join a cohort of researchers who will grow, discover, and collaborate together. You will be supported with a comprehensive programme of training, mentorship, and peer-to-peer support alongside your research. Through a supportive community, world-class facilities, and flourishing industry partnerships, you’ll become part of an academic ecosystem that will accelerate your career so that you become a future leader in your chosen field.

You won’t have to compromise on your research career to transform your career potential – our fellowships come with a pathway onto permanent academic teaching and research careers at the University of Surrey. This means you can start with a focus on research while building your long-term future here, with confidence. 

The Role

This fellowship position in experimental nuclear physics is available for a period of up to 4 years in the first instance with the presumption of permanency at the end.

The position will support the UKRI-STFC-funded FAUST project at FRIB in the USA. The FAUST project involves the development and construction of an advanced silicon detection system backed with CsI crystals to be placed inside the world-leading GRETA g-ray tracking array, and used in conjunction with the S800 recoil spectrometer. This unique combination of devices will allow for multiple direct reactions to be studied using the vast swathe of intense rare isotope beams now available at the recently opened, FRIB facility. In particular, FAUST will enable investigations of weak r-process reactions in Type-II supernovae, the rp-process in X-ray bursts, and the evolution of shell structure towards the neutron dripline. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the existing nuclear physics programme at Surrey, and will be encouraged in the submission of their own experimental proposals.

The Experimental Nuclear Physics group at the University of Surrey undertakes research including both theoretical and experimental nuclear physics, radiation physics and applications. The successful candidate will join an established group studying nuclear structure phenomena and reactions pertinent to astrophysical scenarios using gamma-rays and charged-particles and performing studies of isomeric and beta-unstable nuclei at the limits of experimental accessibility. 

For further information about the Surrey Nuclear Groups please see https://www.surrey.ac.uk/experimental-nuclear-physics-group.

About You

This opportunity could transform your research career prospects if you have:

• Achieved a PhD in physics or other physics-related discipline (or will shortly be awarded a PhD). 
• Created original, inspirational, and realistic nuclear physics research proposals.
• An excellent track record in research (e.g. high-quality publications, and evidence of actual/potential ability in external research grant income generation).
• Motivated, led, and inspired themselves and others to achieve their best.
• Interest in managing and delivering every aspect of a research programme.
• A growing reputation both within and outside of your current institution for research innovation and collaboration.

We welcome applications from those wishing to work flexibly to meet personal responsibilities.

Please refer to the job description addendum for the full outline of the role.

How to Apply

Please complete our online application form where you will be asked to respond to a series of short questions. You will also need the following items to hand (please upload all documents into the application portal):

• Your CV (maximum two pages of A4 and up to 1,000 words in total).
• Your research proposal (maximum two pages of A4 and up to 1,000 words in total). 
• Details of two referees.
• Optional – up to two letters of support.

Your research proposal should include the following:

• Research experience – provide a brief account of your research experience to date.
• Suitability for the Role of FAUST Fellow – provide an account of how you feel you are suited to supporting the development of the FAUST project. 
• Vision and Objectives for the Future – detail the vision, aims, and objectives of your potential future research programme.
• Potential Impact, both academic and non-academic – briefly outline the likely impact of your future programme, including how you will engage with users, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are particularly interested in supporting those from under-represented groups such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds through the SFF programme.

SFFs will have many active and supportive equality networks available to them that provide peer support, social opportunities, and advocacy. See our EDI webpages for more information.  

We are committed to supporting equity in academia, across all areas of equality, race and ethnicity, gender and LGBTQI+, faith and belief, neurodiversity and more. We are proud to partner with organisations such as Stonewall and AccessAble and be signatories of the ECU race and gender charter as well as Mind’s Time to Talk campaign.

Further Information

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Gavin Lotay (g.lotay@surrey.ac.uk), Dr. Daniel Doherty (d.t.doherty@surrey.ac.uk) and Dr. Jack Henderson (jack.henderson@surrey.ac.uk).

Further details

Job Description

Candidate Pack