About the role
UCL invitesinternal applications for a Lectureship in the area of Solar System Planetary Science and physics of planetary magnetospheres and aurorae.
Our knowledge of the giant gas planets and their interaction with the interplanetary medium has steadily increased through the decades, largely through ESA and NASA investment in large-class explorer missions (from Voyager to Cassini and more recently, Juno, JUICE and Europa Clipper). The group’s award-winning heritage work on the magnetospheres of solar system planets and their moons has proven to be critical for fuller scientific exploitation and interpretation of in situ field-and-particle datasets from such spacecraft. In parallel, a number of exciting missions are either coming into being or are being proposed to expand the sample of rigorously explored planetary bodies in the solar system. JUICE, SMILE, Europa Clipper and upcoming, newly proposed missions will provide unprecedented insight into the mechanisms and dynamics of the interaction between the solar wind plasma, the magnetospheric plasma and boundaries, and the electromagnetic coupling of these regions to the upper atmospheres of the parent planets – signified by the phenomenon of auroral emission.
The new Lecturer will be part of the Astrophysics Group, and a successful candidate will be required to carry out world-leading research in the above themes in terms of originality, significance and rigour; play a leading role in helping to foster the research environment within the group and the department, and engage in external activities that bring national and international esteem to the group and UCL.
This role is open to internal applicants only.
Candidates will need to upload a CV (including a list of publications), a statement of research interests and plans (3 pages maximum), and the contact information for three references. A cover letter can be included using the “Statement in Support of your Application” section of the online form.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Kay Nakum, ( 20 )
Informal enquiries regarding the vacancy can be made to: Prof Giorgio Savini,
About you
The successful candidate will have a PhD in Physics or Astrophysics (or a closely related discipline) and a high profile in a contemporary research area of Solar System Planetary Science.
The successful candidate is expected to have demonstrated leadership in the Planetary Science research field through a track record of world-class research publications in planetary science, experience in leading international observation campaigns and engaging with the UK and other international space agencies for science definition of instruments or mission concepts and experience in obtaining research grants (fellowships).
The post-holder would be expected to commit to high quality teaching, project supervising and to foster a positive learning environment for students. They will also have a record of successful supervision and mentoring of postgraduate students and engage with institutional citizenship tasks shared within the Astrophysics group, including those which may support our Faculty’s priority goals for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
What we offer
At UCL, we offer a competitive benefits package including 27 days annual leave plus six days (bank holidays are in addition), hybrid and flexible working, final salary pension scheme, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, enhanced maternity/ paternity/ adoption pay, workplace nursery, employee assistance programme and much more!
For more information on our benefits, please visit our staff benefits webpage -
