Research Assistant / Associate

Salary:

Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum.

Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 16 months, with the possibility of being extended for a further 8 months.

The School of Physics & Astronomy are looking to recruit a Research Assistant/Associate to contribute to/make a leading contribution to a project on electrically-activated cloud chemistry in the atmospheres of brown dwarfs and exoplanets working with Dr Craig Stark and Prof. Declan Diver. Brown dwarfs (BD) straddle the poorly understood transition between L and T dwarfs. The L/T transition is a key evolutionary phase in BD dusty atmospheres and is observationally characterised by near-infrared colours shifting dramatically from very red in the late-L and early-T dwarfs to very blue in the mid-T dwarfs. The L/T transition is associated with a switch in chemical equilibrium between CO and CH₄, with CO being favoured at higher temperatures, and CH₄ being favoured at lower temperatures. Electrical activation of the local environment via ionization processes such as lightning can yield chemical reactions that would otherwise be inaccessible thermodynamically, presenting an alternative source of disequilibrium chemistry in BD atmospheres. This project aims to reveal the physical mechanism behind the L/T transition via the impact of the electrical activation of BD atmospheres through large-scale atmospheric electrical discharges (lightning). The resultant injection of free electrons and ions via non-equilibrium discharges could drive non-equilibrium chemistry leading to the observed CO and CH₄ spectral features from L to T dwarfs.

The job requires expert knowledge in plasma physics, brown dwarfs and numerical modelling.  The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

To be considered for an appointment at Grade 7, you must be able to perform the duties as listed for a Research Assistant position with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.  You must also have, or be about to obtain, a Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)

Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed, and should be addressed to Craig Stark (Craig.Stark@glasgow.ac.uk)

For more information on the University of Glasgow’s, School of Physics & Astronomy, please visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/physics/

For more information and to apply online by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

Closing date: 25 October 2023

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