Research Fellow in Magnetospheric 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.

We welcome applications for a three-year postdoctoral research position in the area of Space Plasma Physics, with particular reference to the Earth’s Radiation Belts and/or magnetospheric substorms. The successful candidate will conduct research relevant to understanding how global and local processes have an impact in shaping the Earth’s Van Allen Radiation Belts and/or in triggering the magnetospheric substorm. The group undertakes work in magnetospheric and solar physics using a range of approaches including data-driven and physics-based modelling; we seek a post-doctoral researcher to complement and extend these activities, particularly in magnetospheric research. 

This position is funded by both Northumbria’s STFC Consolidated Grant and NERC Highlight Topics in Radiation Belt research. You will work with Professors Jonathan Rae, Clare Watt, and Drs. Sarah Bentley and Jasmine Kaur Sandhu in pursuit of your science goals. There is strong potential for this post to be extended subject to further grant funding.

The successful candidate will join the Solar and Space Plasma Physics research group. Further details about the research group can be found here: 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 www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity.

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

To apply for this vacancy please click ‘Apply’,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.