UKRI
Radiation Belt Scientist
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Radiation Belt Scientist
British Antarctic Survey BAS 26/65 Contract type: Open ended appointment Location: Cambridge Salary: E S2 £52,907 - £58,198 / F S2 £64,463 - £70,909 - depending on experience Closing date: 30/08/2026 Interview date: 25/09/2026
Background/Overview:
Purpose:
BAS has a track record of world-leading research on the Earth’s radiation belts. This has resulted in the creation of the BAS Radiation Belt Model (BAS-RBM) that is now licensed to the Met. Office and provides hourly forecasts to the European Space Agency (ESA). Current research at BAS includes developing new models with extended energy ranges, improving our understanding of wave-particle interactions in the radiation belts, increasing our understanding of how to model storm-time dynamics, characterising precipitation into the atmosphere and incorporating data assimilation into radiation belt models. This work is supported by a mixture of grants, contracts and Ph.D. funding.
BAS is now seeking to appoint someone who can contribute to our research on radiation belt modelling and develop their skills to lead this work in the future.
The post can be appointed at either Band E or Band F, depending on experience. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate significant experience developing computational models and have a background in magnetospheric physics, preferably in radiation belt physics. Candidates with appropriate leadership experience and a proven ability to win competitive funding may be appointed at the higher band. For further details see the skills specification.
Duties:
Band E
- Develop a leading role in BAS’s research on the radiation belts and expand its scope.
- Lead applications for grant funding.
- Publish papers.
- Attend conferences, giving presentations and publicising BAS research.
- Supervise Ph.D. students.
Band F – (in addition to those for Band E)
- Line manage junior scientists.
- Lead the development of new applications for existing and new customers.
- Lead the negotiation and definition of contracts with external bodies (e.g. ESA, Met Office).
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- Background in magnetospheric physics.
- Significant experience in computational modelling.
- Ph.D. or equivalent experience in physics, maths or closely related field.
- Strong mathematical ability.
- Demonstratable programming ability.
- Experience of developing computational models.
- Experience of leading small teams of researchers. (Band F)
- Good network of contacts within the scientific field.
- Significant number of relevant publications.
- Track record of successful grant or fellowship applications. (Band F)
- Proficient in written and spoken English.
Desirable:
- Strong background in radiation belt physics.
- Experience working with radiation belt models.
- Ph.D. or equivalent experience in radiation belt physics.
- Good working knowledge of python, FORTRAN and GIT.
- Experience of leading software development.
- Experience supervising Ph.D. students.
- Demonstrate good presentation skills.
- Experience working with organisations outside academia.
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British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Our skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through our extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org
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