Research Associate (Planet Mercury)

Full-time, fixed term contract for 36 months from October 2025 (or soon after). Extension possible, subject to external funding.

Hours per week:37.5

Advert closes midnight on: 17 Aug 2025

About the role

This STFC-funded Research and Innovation Associate (RIA) position represents an exciting opportunity to join the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo instrument team at the University of Leicester. We will soon be receiving the first data back from Mercury via the UK’s only PI instrument: the Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) (Emma Bunce PI). This post is the first of four positions available through STFC Large Grant funding to the “Planet Mercury: Origins, Evolution, and Interactions” consortium between the University of Leicester, Open University and Imperial College. Further posts will be advertised in 2026. 

The successful candidate will work with Emma Bunce, John Bridges and Adrian Martindale at Space Park Leicester. This represents a fantastic opportunity to develop your career analysing data from a live space mission, working with the research team both within the individual Institutions, the Planet Mercury consortium, and with the wider MIXS team.

About you

You will hold a PhD in planetary science or a closely related field, with particular expertise in geochemistry, spacecraft data analysis, and/or X-ray fluorescence techniques. A strong publication record, evidence of independent research capability, and experience working within collaborative research environments are essential. Proficiency in Python and a solid grasp of planetary geological processes, especially those relevant to Mercury, will be key to your success in this role.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Emma Bunce on ejb10@leicester.ac.uk

We anticipate that interviews will take place from the start of September 2025.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

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