University of Leicester
Research Associate in Planetary Atmospheric Science
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Location: Leicester
Vacancy terms: Full-time fixed term contract for 3 years
Salary details: Grade 7 - £39,906 to £46,049 per annum
Hours per week: 37.5
Advert closes midnight on: 05 Nov 2026
Apply Here: https://jobs.le.ac.uk/vacancies/13952/research-associate-in-planetary-atmospheric-science.html
About the Role:
Infrared observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have rapidly become a cornerstone in the current era of Solar System exploration. The Planetary Science Group within the School of Physics and Astronomy is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in planetary atmospheric science. The PDRA will join a team led by Professor Leigh Fletcher, and will be supported by a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant known as “JWSTVoyager.” This project aims to study the origins, atmospheres, and variability of the four giant planets using a combination of JWST, ground-based, and Juno observations. This work will ultimately prepare the team to work with data from Europe’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) and ESA’s JUICE mission to Jupiter in the 2030s.
The JWSTVoyager programme seeks to compare the atmospheres of the four giant planets, including (but not limited to) investigations of their bulk elemental and isotopic composition as a window on planetary origins; exploration of the ubiquitous banded structure of the giant planets and how the belts and zones differ from world to world; and studies of temporal variability within giant planet atmospheres, from the smallest-scale storms to large-scale circulation patterns. The PDRA will have access to existing (and forthcoming) observations from JWST, coupled with cutting-edge data processing tools. The PDRA will work to invert infrared and microwave spectra with a suite of radiative transfer and retrieval tools (NEMESIS), using these to derive climatological parameters (temperatures, winds, composition, and clouds), which can then be used to address the core themes of JWSTVoyager. As the PDRA will be embedded within a wider research team, the specifics of the research project can be aligned with the strengths and interests of the candidate.
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The PDRA position is initially for 3 years with a possibility for extension, and we wish to appoint someone close to the start of the grant (January 2027) to rapidly publish new discoveries from our JWST data.
About You:
Successful candidates will be able to evidence a strong track record in publishing planetary science research in peer-reviewed journals; a knowledge of planetary atmospheric science at an international level; and a proven record in problem solving, data analysis, and spectral modelling via code development (preferably in IDL, Python, or Fortran). You should have a PhD in a research area relevant to planetary science, and familiarity with remote sensing of planetary atmospheres. Experience working as an independent researcher, as well as collaboration within scientific consortia, would also be valuable. You should have good written and verbal communication skills in English, and be willing to travel to represent the JWSTVoyager team internationally.
About the School:
The successful PDRA will join the Planetary Science Group at the University of Leicester. The School of Physics and Astronomy is home to four interconnected research groups: planetary science, earth-observation science, astrophysics, and space projects and instrumentation. We work across two sites, on campus at the University of Leicester, and at Space Park Leicester. The Planetary Science Group studies everything from planetary surfaces, to atmospheres, ionospheres, and magnetospheres, and is involved in a range of missions, including Bepi Colombo, SMILE, ExoMars, Juno, JWST, and JUICE.
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Additional information:
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor Leigh Fletcher (leigh.fletcher@le.ac.uk). 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 equity, 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 through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive. 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.
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