Research Assistant/ PDRA positions in Laboratory Astrophysics

Research Assistant/ PDRA positions in Laboratory Astrophysics

Official Job title: Research Assistant / PDRA (Laboratory Astrophysics: Icy Grain Collisions)

Unit: Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Salary:

Role 1: £33,797-£40,322 (PhD required)

Role 2: £30,942-£32,817 (pre-PhD award) £33,797 - £35,845 (PhD required)

Location: Milton Keynes

Please quote reference: 17680

Term:

Role 1:  Fixed Term (12 months ending not later than March 30th 2022 depending on start date)

Role 2:  Fixed Term (9 months starting not later than Jan 1st 2021)

Closing Date: Nov 8th 2020

 

The Roles

The School of Physical Sciences at the Open University, UK, invites applications for two distinct research posts in Laboratory Astrophysics. The posts involve on working on an STFC funded project in the OU Astrochemistry Group with Dr Helen Jane Fraser. The overarching aim of this project is to understand how ensembles of icy interstellar grains aggregate to form ‘pebbles’ in the regions around the snowline in proto-planetary disks, and to establish if this process can generate gas-phase water in the same regions, then link this experimental work back to observational astrochemistry, and astrochemical modelling.

 

Role 1: PDRA, Laboratory Astrophysics: Icy Grain Collisions

 

You will have a PhD in Experimental Physics, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics or Laboratory Astrochemistry or a directly related experimental field, and will be experienced in working with at least two of the following laboratory technologies: ultra-high vacuum, mass spectroscopy, cryogenics, ultra-fast video imaging, image analysis. Additionally, you will have experience of experiment commissioning and experimental computer control and data analysis. You will have excellent communication skills and be able to evidence strong teamwork in scientific or engineering projects, as well as demonstrating an emerging track record of peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals.

 

The successful candidate will preferably be in role by Dec 30th 2020, but must be available to take up the role on or before March 1st 2021.

 

Role 2: Research Assistant/ PDRA, Laboratory Astrophysics: Icy Grain Collisions

 

You will have submitted (but may not necessarily have completed) a PhD in Experimental Physics, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Astronomy  or Laboratory Astrochemistry or a directly related field, and will be experienced in working with at least two of the following technologies: ultra-high vacuum, mass spectroscopy, cryogenics, ultra-fast video imaging, image analysis, observational astrochemistry, astrochemical modelling. Additionally, you will have experience of computational data analysis including coding in e.g. Python, Origin scripting, Labview or Matlab. You will have excellent communication skills and be able to evidence strong teamwork in scientific or engineering projects, as well as demonstrating an emerging track record of peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals.

 

The successful candidate will preferably be in role by Dec 30th 2020, but must be available to take up the role on or before Jan 1st 2021.

 

More information and how to apply

For more information about these positions, and how to apply, please follow the apply link to the Open University Jobs Page.

 

We value diversity and we recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. Applications from candidates with protected characteristics are welcomed. Where you start in life doesn’t dictate where you go.