Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in Sensors

The role

Do you want to work as part of a dynamic team to develop a high-altitude sensing platform for studying volcanoes as a proxy for climate engineering? Do you enjoy the challenge of connecting cutting edge research to real-world utility? The University of Bristol has the ideal opportunity in UAVs, autonomy, flight optimisation and aerosol detection for you!

The successful candidate will play a key role in an ambitious and high-impact research project exploring the climatic effects of volcanic emissions. You will conduct original research into the parameters that influence radiative transfer in the atmosphere helping to better understand how volcanic aerosols and gases affect Earth's climate.

This research uses high-altitude Uncrewed Air Vehicles (UAVs) to directly sample and monitor volcanic emissions, providing a real-world analogue for studying potential Climate Engineering scenarios. The role combines scientific discovery with advanced engineering, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to both environmental science and technological innovation.

The successful candidate will be appointed at either Research Associate or Senior Research Associate level, depending on the skills, experience, and qualifications they bring to the project.

We are looking for an ideal candidate to join our team around June, as this aligns with the start of the project. We are open to some flexibility with the start date, so if you’re available shortly before or after, we’d still love to hear from you. The post is offered on a full-time basis for up to 4 years, and the university offers flexible working and a very generous leave entitlement. It is anticipated that interviews will take place in shortly after the advert closes. Please note that this position is subject to funding and awaiting the contract to be signed. Please visit www.aria.org.uk for further information. Applications and interviews can take place, but an offer of employment can't be made until the funding is formally secured. 

What will you be doing?

• You will join a team that are building a UAV capable of quantifying aerosol size, composition and radiative effects in the Upper Troposphere-Lower Stratosphere (UTLS).
• Lead the selection, integration, and testing of advanced sensors designed to capture key aerosol characteristics and monitor radiative transfer through aerosol and cloud layers.
• Conduct hands-on fieldwork, supporting flight campaigns by collecting data, contributing to real-time aerosol sensing for adaptive route planning, and performing post-flight data analysis to link aerosol properties with changes in radiance across multiple wavelengths.

Additional information

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Matthew Watson matt.watson@bristol.ac.uk.

Interviews are anticipated to take place as soon as possible after closing date, ideally within a week.

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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