Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Solar Physics

By joining the University of Lancashire, you’ll become part of a thriving community of talent that’s united by a shared vision – to transform the lives of our students and create prosperity and opportunity in the communities we serve. Every colleague has a vital role to play in helping us achieve this vision.

About the role:

The Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, within the School of Engineering and Computing of the University of Lancashire, welcomes applications for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in Solar Physics.

The post is supported by an award from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) titled, “How do sunspot dynamics influence solar activity?” and will use automated identification and tracking techniques to build a large sample of sunspots and active regions that can be statistically compared with solar activity to determine what type of sunspot motions lead to solar eruptions. 

The successful candidate will be expected to utilize automated detection and tracking techniques to compile a large sample of sunspots and analyse their motions across different phases of the solar cycle. They will link sunspots and their active regions to solar activity, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections, and exploit statistical data to investigate how sunspot kinematics influence these phenomena. Additionally, they will develop energy estimates to determine whether various sunspot motions contribute to the energy budget released during solar eruptions. A key aspect of the role will be writing up research findings and contributing to publications, while also playing an active role in enhancing the research environment at JHI through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

About you:

Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they are able to conduct research in solar physics, ideally in an area related to solar observational analysis, automatic identification of solar features, and/or statistical analysis of solar phenomena; and is of a sufficiently high quality to be returnable in the 2029 Research Excellence Framework (REF). 

The successful candidate will have a PhD or recently submitted their thesis in solar physics or a related field, with experience in conducting research, particularly in observational analysis of solar data. They will possess strong research skills, including undertaking literature reviews, individual and collaborative projects, partnerships with external stakeholders, and effective communication. Planning, organisational abilities, and teamwork will be essential. Ideally, the candidate will also have experience in observing sunspots and the solar photosphere, as well as applying automated identification techniques to generate large samples of solar phenomena

For an informal discussion on any of these points, or for any further information, potential applicants may contact Dr Daniel Brown, either via email or telephone.

What we can offer you:

Our people are our most important asset. We’ll encourage you to make the most of your talents and continually develop your skills and knowledge. As well as realising your career ambitions, you’ll be making a positive difference to other people’s lives. We also offer a fantastic package of rewards and lifestyle benefits – from an attractive annual leave entitlement to access to a comprehensive employee benefits platform.

We are proud to be a diverse, multicultural university. We are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will support the diversification within the University and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

The University is committed to providing a safe environment to study, work and visit, protecting children, young people and adults at risk from harm and abuse. Our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedure outlines our approach, alongside other internal policies, procedures and guidance which can be found on our Safeguarding page.

Applicants applying for roles in regulated activity and that are listed as an exception under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be required to disclose any spent and unspent convictions and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at the appropriate level, the University will only ask an applicant to make an application for a DBS check if they are legally entitled to.