Ref Number
B04-07368
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
UCL BEAMS (B04)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£36,433-£41,833
Contract Type
Fixed-term
Working Type
On site
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
23-Jul-2026
UCL was the first university in England to welcome students of any class, religion, and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. Scientific research and study has been a strong feature of UCL since its inception in 1826.
The Astrophysics Group is one of the largest in the UK, comprising about 120 members of academic, research and support staff, of which 22 are academic staff members. Our research areas cover cosmology, gravitational waves, galaxy formation and evolution, massive stars, star formation and stellar evolution, interstellar and circumstellar processes, (exo-)planetary science, atmospheric physics and instrumentation.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a strong track record of scientific research and outreach. The Astrophysics group has major involvement in design, modelling and work on instrumentation which directly enables scientific breakthroughs in the field of exoplanets, star formation, cosmology and observational astrophysics in general. Furthermore, the Astrophysics Group’s strong link with UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory have fostered many collaborations on ongoing and upcoming space missions as well as the development of new and exciting future concepts and instrumentation.
UCL invites applications for a Research Associate to work at the interface between the instrumentation and exoplanet and stellar systems groups on the characterisation of the Ariel payload optics, its commissioning and the expected performance as it is being built and tested within a number of institutes of the Ariel European consortium. The aim of the project is to analyse in particular the performance of the instrument in advance of testing campaigns taking place in the coming months/years.
The Research Associate will also engage substantially in outreach activities of the Astrophysics Group and the overall department as part of this post. In the support to the Ariel research work, the postholder will be working within the Operations working group by feeding optical simulation results into a performance matrix. The postholder will gain experience on the use of tools such as commercial optical modelling software as well as custom-built Ariel-related software (which predicts and generates data streams as expected to be output by the payload with simulated data scenes).
Candidates will need to upload a CV, including any experience in related topics and outreach activities (2 pages maximum), and the contact information for two references. A cover letter can be included using the “Statement in Support of your Application” section of the online form.
This role is funded for 12 months in the first instance until 30 September 2027.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Kay Nakum, [email protected] (+44 (0)20 7679 3458)
Informal enquiries regarding the vacancy can be made to the Head of Group: Prof Giorgio Savini, [email protected]
The successful candidate will have an MSc in Physics or Astrophysics (or a closely related discipline) with some experience in data analysis, optical experiments and with demonstrable experience in outreach activities.
The post-holder would be expected to commit some of their time to outreach activities beside the main research goals of the post.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL’s workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and – for Grade 9 and 10 roles – women.”
Read more: UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Applicants should also familiarise themselves with UCL’s policies on: Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Personal Relationships Policy
