Research Associate (Planet Mercury)

Vacancy terms: Full-time or job share, fixed term contract for 36 months, with the possibility for extension, subject to funding.

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 one of three positions now available via STFC Large Grant funding to the “Planet Mercury: Origins, Evolution, and Interactions” consortium between the University of Leicester, Open University and Imperial College.

The successful candidate will work with Emma Bunce and will be located 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 international MIXS team.

About you

You will hold a PhD in planetary magnetosphere physics or space plasma physics, with particular expertise in magnetosphere-surface coupling, spacecraft data analysis, and/or remote sensing 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 magnetosphere 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

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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