Research Associate in Experimental Radio Astronomy

Job reference: SAE-031343
Salary: £37,694 to £41,064 per annum, depending on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Jodrell Bank, Cheshire
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Physics & Astronomy
Hours Per Week: 35 hours per week
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 05/06/2026
Contract Duration: 36 months
School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

Overall Purpose

You will work as part of a vibrant research team to detect and understand radio foreground emission and the 21cm global signal at high redshift. You will achieve this by designing, building, and characterising radio frequency hardware, diagnosing and solving instrumentation issues, and developing and applying precision calibration strategies. You will make a difference by making exciting scientific measurements using a novel radio instrument, and by providing precisely-calibrated data for incorporation into radio sky models.

About the Team

Our team consists of around 10 members working on various aspects of radio astronomy and cosmology, with a focus on probes of large-scale structure with the 21cm line, and high-dimensional Bayesian statistical methods. You will be part of the RHINO team, working to build, commission, and analyse data from a novel 21cm global signal experiment based around a large horn antenna. You will work with other team members and engineers at Jodrell Bank Observatory, who will provide expert assistance with aspects of hardware, data analysis, and statistical modelling.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to people.talent@manchester.ac.uk

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Dr Phil Bull

Email: phil.bull@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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