Radiation Analysis Scientist

Salary: £37,099 to £44,263

Terms: Fixed term contract until 31 March 2025, Full-time post

Closing Date: Wednesday 22 May 2024 - 12:00 noon

A flexible, hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office, the role holder will be expected to attend the University to conduct lab based work for the majority of the time, as required

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI) is a research centre based within the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University. The CEI is a collaboration between the Open University and Teledyne e2v, a world-leading manufacturer of scientific and industrial image sensors. The CEI is dedicated to conducting research into advanced imaging technologies for science applications and conducts its research in collaboration with many universities, agencies and companies including the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency (ESA), NASA and Teledyne e2v.

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a world class research team, dedicated to conducting research into advanced imaging technologies for science applications.

Due to a recent growth in the number of Space projects the Centre for Electronic Imaging is involved in, we are seeking to appoint a Radiation and Detector Calibration Scientist to work alongside several small teams on existing and new space missions across the CEI.

You will engage in many aspects of radiation modelling, including the use of FastRad and in-house bespoke software and tools that will be used to analyse orbital data from existing and new Space missions to gain a better understanding of dose and shielding requirements, performed in collaboration with the Space Radiation Environment Scientist and Mechanical Engineering team.  Supported by existing staff and expertise within the team, you will be expected to become a core member of the relevant OU mission teams.

Skills and experience

• Understanding of the interaction of radiation with matter and how this can be shielded
• Understanding of radiation dose and how radiation can impact electronics and semiconductor devices
• Demonstratable programming skills for analysis using Python, MatLab or similar
• Understanding and/or knowledge of space radiation environment
• Good problem solving and analytical skills, demonstrated logical and rigorous approach to work

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.