Research Fellow

About the Role

The University of Warwick’s Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics (CFSA) is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow for a five-year research programme focused on modelling Earth’s magnetosphere and radiation belts.

The successful candidate will develop and apply magnetospheric, ring current, and radiation belt simulations, investigating the dynamics and coupling of these regions during geomagnetic activity. The role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of space plasma physics, computational modelling, and space-weather science, within a collaborative research environment.

This is part of a five-year multi-institution STFC-funded project entitled: why is the response of Earth’s outer radiation belt to solar wind driving so hard to predict? involving close collaboration with Northumbria University and University of Birmingham.

In addition to conducting original research, there will be opportunity to contribute to the mentoring and supervision of PhD students within the research group as well as research grant development and capture.

A promotion to Assistant Professor is a realistic expectation within the five-year project timeframe, subject to satisfactory performance and progress.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here).

About You

We welcome applicants with experience in either space physics, plasma physics, numerical modelling, or scientific computing. Experience with applying these to magnetospheric or radiation-belts, or similar areas, would be particularly valuable.

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£35,302 per annum). Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£36,320 per annum).

About the Department

The Centre for Fusion Space and Astrophysics is an interdisciplinary centre  embracing plasma physics applied to the grand challenges of magnetic and inertial confined fusion power, space plasma physics, solar physics, and

astrophysics. The research spans fundamental theory, observation, and the analysis of experimental data, combined with high performance computing.

CFSA is an established leader in plasma physics modelling, with several productions codes with global user bases, such as EPOCH and LARE. Associated space weather research spans the solar corona, heliosphere, magnetosphere, radiation belts and ionosphere as well as downstream space weather risks and impacts. Wider collaborations exist with University of Warwick’s exoplanet research group who lead the ESA Plato mission, and with Warwick Quantum to  develop novel sensing solutions for space.

Space physics and space weather research within CFSA is supported by a diverse range of academic, government and industry stakeholders, including UKRI, UK and European Space Agencies, the Met Office, QinetiQ, EDF, AWE and Dstl. The successful candidate will have opportunities to engage with such partners through meetings, workshops and collaborative research activities, gaining valuable experience in translating fundamental research into applications with real-world impact.

The Project will collaborate with Professor Clare Watt, Dr Sarah Bentley and Prof Jonathan Rae at Northumbria University, and Dr Oliver Allanson at the University of Birmingham. The full consortium team will comprise the researchers above, the advertised five PDRAs across these institutions, and three Research Software Engineers (RSEs), one at each institution. We expect a number of PhD students to be added to the team as the project progresses. 

Department of Physics

The post will be based in the Department of Physics, a vibrant academic department with over 200 academic, research, technical and professional services staff, over 800 undergraduate students and 200 postgraduate research students.

We are proud of our diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining excellence in both teaching and research by promoting equality of opportunity for all, within a culture of mutual respect and dignity.

We are pleased to hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality  for all staff and students. We also hold an Institute of Physics Inclusion Award in support of our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. 

Further information about working in the Department of Physics and the benefits available can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working/.

The University supports flexible working and requests for part-time working or job-share will be considered where possible.

Childcare for interviews

Childcare can be provided for you at the University of Warwick Nursery (www.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery) in order for you to attend the interview. Childcare is subject to availability of places at the Nursery.

How to Apply

To apply please complete your essential personal details and attach a CV and cover letter by the closing date stated. 

We will review applications throughout the advertising period and may contact shortlisted candidates before the closing date. We therefore encourage interested applicants to submit their application as early as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.

Please ensure your CV includes your most recent employment experience along with any additional relevant experience and education history.

Your cover letter should detail your motivation for applying for the role as well as detailing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.   

The interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Dr Ravindra Desai with any queries: ravindra.desi@warwick.ac.uk.