Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This new full time post is available from April 2024 on fixed term basis for up to three years.

Summary of the role

The University of Exeter is recruiting either a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to work with Prof. Andrew Hillier in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Exeter, and in collaboration with Dr. Inigo Arregui at Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias. The appointee will join the Centre for Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics at the University of Exeter to work on an STFC funded project to investigate the observational signatures of nonlinear damping of MHD kink waves. In particular this project will focus on how Kelvin-Helmholtz instability turbulence damps MHD kink waves and search for the observational signatures of that damping mechanism in data from solar observations.

This STFC funded post is available from April 2024 for up to three years. The successful applicant will have experience in the analysis of solar observational data, the forward modelling of simulation data or the comparison between solar observations and MHD wave theory. The successful applicant may also be able to work with and co-supervise PhD, Masters and summer students.

About you

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion for Associate) or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant is likely to have experience in one or more of: analysing data from solar observations (including but not limited to experience analysing AIA data from SDO, IRIS data or other EUV observations), creating synthetic observations through  forward modelling of simulation data using coronal lines, individual or statistical studies of waves in the solar atmosphere through observations, applications of Bayesian statistics to solar data or comparison between observed properties of wave in the solar atmosphere and MHD wave theory.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

Further information

Please contact Prof Andrew Hillier, [email protected] .