Professor and Head of Research in Earth Observation Science

About the role

The School of Physics and Astronomy is seeking to make an academic appointment at Professorial level with a focus on Earth Observation Science and/or Earth Observation Science-related Space Instrumentation research. As a Professor on a teaching and research contract, the post holder will also lead the Earth Observation Science (EOS) research group of the School of Physics and Astronomy for a period of four years (renewable). The post-holder will also make significant contributions to the development and delivery of our high-quality undergraduate and post-graduate teaching programmes.    

The EOS group is a national and international hub for earth observation research contributing innovation and capability to major satellite missions of the day; EOS staff are members of Science Teams and Mission Advisory Groups for many Earth Observation satellite missions.  The EOS group uses data from sophisticated instruments in space to tackle today’s greatest environmental challenges. Our research is underpinned by   ground and aircraft observations, lab experiments and access to state-of-the-art models through our collaborators.  We frequently collaborate with research institutions and leading Space Agencies across all continents and have a particularly significant role at national level supporting publically funded Earth Observation. The group’s research has a broad research focus in key areas including satellite observations of climate and weather, remote sensing of the changing land surface, atmospheric composition and air quality, remote sensing technology, EOS missions and laboratory-based spectroscopy. The EOS group hosts national research centres and programmes which demonstrate the vigour of Leicester research, and maintains close connection with UK and international funders. Leicester also has an Institute for Space which links the 200+ space researchers and interdisciplinary work across the University and an Institute for Environmental Futures which connects researchers interested in pathways to resilient, sustainable, and just environmental futures in the context of the global challenges.

The EOS group is situated in the new Space Park Leicester (SPL) campus, a world-leading cluster for innovative research, enterprise and education in Space and Earth Observation. SPL provides a collaborative environment of industry, academics and students working together to drive growth in space and space-enabled sectors, catalysing routes from research to impact. The Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI) is a UK Space Agency programme funding projects across the UK where Leicester is the Academic lead; https://ceoi.ac.uk/.  We also run collaborative projects and programmes developing and exploiting Earth Observation data. SPL affords opportunities for inter-disciplinary research connecting EO interests and researchers across the College and beyond.

The EOS group also supports the UK National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO); www.nceo.ac.uk. It provides the Director of NCEO, hosts its Directorate and includes scientists who are NCEO staff. NCEO provides the Natural Environment Research Council (part of UK Research and Innovation, the research funder for the UK) and the UK with long-term, national capability and strategic research in environmental science enabled by Earth Observation. . The NCEO has a particularly strong advice and science innovation function supporting UK government, UK Space Agency and national research labs. NCEO resource underpins many of the EOS areas and non-academic staff.

We are also recruiting for a Lecturer in Earth Observation Science, the advert can be found here . 
About you

The post holder should have a strong and internationally recognized research profile with a clear research vision, be able to demonstrate leadership potential, and have produced quality scholarly output.  The research of the successful candidate may complement and create synergies to the thriving research activities of the EOS group, or might bring involvement through science roles in new satellite missions or large collaborative projects

Candidates with relevant and strategic research capabilities may become a staff member in NCEO and take a science leadership role; ;  further  NCEO links to Leicester EOS research would be a strength. Involvement in NCEO offers connectivity to national, long-term research and funding.  Research interests would need to align with those of NCEO’s science remit and likely national capability programmes funded by NERC. Further information can be found on the NCEO website or  can be discussed with the Director of NCEO.

We also encourage applications from candidates with an interest in collaborative research with industry, both upstream technologies and/or downstream applications. We offer a menu of innovation support which can underpin knowledge exchange, innovation and collaborative research and development. Climate services and other operational Earth Observation delivery mechanisms are also of interest.

The School of Physics and Astronomy is proudly committed to issues of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and strives to ensure that everyone feels welcome and valued so that they can thrive and develop in the School environment and in their careers. As such the post holder will be strongly encouraged to engage with EDI activities and expected to promote EDI values particularly within their various teaching and research responsibilities.

Additional information
 
Informal queries are welcome and can be made to Professor John Remedios ([email protected] or 0116 223 13199) and Professor Emma Bunce ([email protected]  or 0116 252 3541).
 
We ask applicants to provide a full academic CV, a two page research/teaching statement and include three points of contact for reference.
 

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change , which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.