Position Details

School of Physics and Astronomy

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2028

2 positions available

Closing date: 19th May 2024

UK and International travel may be required for this role

Background

Applications are invited to join the Sun, Stars and Exoplanets Research Group in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham, as part of the growing and dynamic team of Dr Annelies Mortier working in exoplanets and stellar astrophysics.

Environment 

The School of Physics and Astronomy is a world-leading physics department, excelling in both research and teaching. Our physics research was recently ranked top in the UK for 4-star-category research, and 4th by GPA, by the Research Excellence Framework 2021. The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Professor Mike Kosterlitz and Professor David Thouless jointly for their work into the discoveries of the properties of matter, work which started when they were at Birmingham together. The 2017 Nobel Prize was awarded for the detection of gravitational waves, in which Birmingham staff played a key role. The School is an excellent environment for an upcoming academic.

The School’s research portfolio is wide-ranging, and covers three principal themes: Quantum Matter; Particle and Nuclear Physics; and Astronomy and Experimental Gravity. It has over 120 academic and research staff together with 120 graduate students with around 50 technical and clerical support staff. 

The School of Physics and Astronomy is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the School’s commitment to promote diversity and equality, and to encourage better practice for all members of the community, whilst also working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications from traditionally under-represented groups in physics and astronomy are particularly encouraged. We are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Role Summary

We are seeking to appoint two motivated UKRI-funded postdoctoral researchers as part of the FLF project “Finding a second Earth through stellar understanding” - PI Mortier. This research project aims to improve the precise and stable extraction of stellar radial velocity from high-resolution spectra, taking into account the effects of stellar magnetic variability; build, deploy and exploit a polarising Solar Telescope connected with a high-resolution stabilised spectrograph; study the Sun-as-a-star during Solar maximum, connecting the large-scale magnetic flux variations with the observed radial velocity variability; and put Earth in an exoplanet context focusing on the chemical diversity of planets and their hosts. 

The successful applicant should have expertise in the use of astronomical data and depending on the role, have expertise in either astronomical instrumentation, stellar variability, or stellar and exoplanet characterisation.

The successful applicant will work primarily with Dr Annelies Mortier and other members in her team.

Role requirements include: 

• PhD in astrophysics/astronomy or equivalent expertise 
• Expertise in the use of astronomical and/or Solar data
• Proven track record in at least one of: stellar characterisation, stellar variability, exoplanet characterisation, astronomical instrumentation

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Analyse and interpret data 
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc. 
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline 
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews 
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters 
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research 
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required 
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding 
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration 
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines 
• Promote equality, value diversity, acting as a role model, and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and a PhD degree (or near to completion) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications 
• High level analytical capability 
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly 
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones 
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes 
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project 
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort 
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly 

Application process 

You should make sure to attach the following to your application as one pdf file: a cover letter (max 1 page); a CV (max 2 pages); a full publication list; a research statement (max 3 pages); an EDI statement (max 1 page).

An online form will ask for contact details for three referees who we can contact at any point in the process. In the form, you will also get a mandatory question asking to specify the reasons to apply. You should simply point to your uploaded document.

All applications received by the deadline (Sunday 19th May 2024) will receive full consideration. We anticipate interviews to take place 5th June 2024. 

Informal enquiries to Dr Annelies Mortier, email: A.Mortier@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.