Surrey Future Fellow Space

Mathematics

Location:  Guildford
Salary:  £45,585 to £54,395 per annum depending on experience
Fixed-Term contract for three years with presumption of leading to a permanent role.
Post Type:  Full Time
Closing Date:  23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 18 February 2024
Interview Date:  To be confirmed
Reference:  003924

Call for Applications for New Surrey Future Fellows in Space

Are you looking for a fulfilling career in space science that will contribute to the growing and multidisciplinary ambitions of the University of Surrey and broadly of the UK in space?

Are you looking for a challenge that can leverage the successes of the internationally-leading Surrey Space Centre to meet contemporary global challenges?

Are you looking for an academic position at the University of Surrey that we expect will become permanent?

We are part way through a programme of bringing in 40 talented and inspirational researchers to the University of Surrey to create a network of future world leaders in their areas of research.  

Come and be part of this hugely exciting programme.

About the Programme

When you join the Surrey Future Fellowship (SFF) programme, you’ll join a cohort of researchers who will grow, discover, and collaborate together. You will be supported with a comprehensive programme of training, mentorship and peer-to-peer support alongside your research. Through a supportive community, world-class facilities, and flourishing industry partnerships, you’ll become part of an academic ecosystem that will accelerate your career so that you become a future leader in your chosen field.

You won’t have to compromise on your research career to transform your career potential – our fellowships come with a pathway onto permanent academic teaching and research careers at the University of Surrey. This means you can start with a focus on research while building your long-term future here, with confidence.  

About us 

Over the last four decades, the University of Surrey has been a pioneer in changing the economics of the global space sector by largely expanding the accessibility of space and increasing the scale and range of benefits in science and technology.

We are ambitiously embarking on a new space era at the University of Surrey that will meet the opportunities and challenges in the coming decades, such as space and AI, telecommunications, social, legal, cyber, robotics, environment, medical, life science and policy.

The University of Surrey will also be a central part of the government’s research and innovation agenda in the South Centre region of Surrey and Hampshire, which is home to up to 25% (£4.2bn) of the UK’s current Space business turnover.

About the roles

We want our SFF in Space to help us further build this culture of collaboration, both internally and with external partners, in this exciting new chapter of UK space development so we can make important contributions to society. Examples of our key existing areas of strength in the space sector are below:

• Spacecraft structures and mechanism
• Remote sensing and earth observation
• Space environment and protection
• Lunar construction and in-situ resource utilisation
• Astrophysics observatories

With the fast-paced growth of Space at Surrey, applicants are also welcome to propose to establish new areas of research. This can, for instance, include the intersection of space research with other areas of research excellence at Surrey, such as but not limited to the applications of space in (i) food systems, (ii) artificial intelligence, (iii) cyber security, (iv) quantum devices, (v) sustainability and (vi) policy and law.

We welcome your ideas for how you can contribute to the growing, dynamic ecosystem of space-based research at Surrey. Visit our website to find out more about our key strategic areas and full details on the SFF programme.

About You

This opportunity could transform your research career prospects if you have:

• Achieved your PhD in engineering, physics, maths or other space-related disciplines  within the last seven years or will shortly be awarded your PhD (if more than seven years have elapsed due to circumstances that have limited your progression, we’ll be happy to consider your application)
• Created original, inspirational, and realistic research proposals.
• Motivated, led and inspired self and others to achieve their best.
• Interest in managing and delivering every aspect of a research programme.
• Already achieved high-quality research outcomes including a track record in, or demonstrated the potential for, gaining funding support for your research.
• A growing reputation both within and outside of your current institution for research innovation and collaboration.

We welcome applications from those wishing to work flexibly to meet personal responsibilities.

Please refer to the job description addendum for the full outline of the role.

In return, the Fellowship will bring you:

• Comprehensive training, mentorship, and peer-to-peer support.
• Generous research start-up package.
• A clear career pathway (this is a fixed term contract for 3 years with the presumption of permanency at the end).
• Full University of Surrey benefits that include flexible working, parental leave, on-site childcare, discounts and sports and leisure membership.

How to apply 

• Complete our online application form
• Attach your CV (maximum two pages of A4 and up to 1000 words in total)
• Attach your research proposal (maximum two pages of A4 and up to 1000 words in total)
• And, if you wish, you may include up to two letters of support.        

Further details about the programme can be found on our website.  

For those applying from overseas, if you are successful in your Fellowship application, then the University will act as sponsor for a visa application. Continuation on the scheme, and into any permanent position after the programme, are dependent on successful completion and the ongoing right to be in the UK.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are particularly interested in supporting those from under-represented groups such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds through the SFF programme.

SFFs will have many active and supportive equality networks available to them that provide peer support, social opportunities, and advocacy.  See our EDI webpages for more information.  

We are committed to supporting equity in academia, across all areas of equality, race and ethnicity, gender and LGBTQI+, faith and belief, neurodiversity and more. We are proud to partner with organisations such as Stonewall and AccessAble and be signatories of the ECU race and gender charter as well as Mind’s Time to Talk campaign.

Interview date to be confirmed week commencing 11th March 2024 or later by MS Teams video.

Further details:   Job Description     Candidate Pack    

For more information and to apply online, please download the further details and click on the 'apply online' button above.

In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate , flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all.  We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community.  Therefore we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.