Research Associate

We are looking for a Research Associate to join us here at the University of Bath, working on an exciting project in Space Weather.

Space Weather is a complex area that reaches across solar, magnetosphere and ionospheric research areas. 

The equatorial ionosphere is a region of interesting physics where the electrodynamics controls variations in the ionosphere in conjunction with thermospheric changes. The African ionosphere is a region of significant scientific interest.

This project is a collaboration between the University of Bath and the Technical University of Kenya. The research associate will be based at the University of Bath, and there will be opportunities for hosting researchers from and visiting the partner institutions.

The job purpose is:

• To study ionospheric irregularities over Africa.
• To collaborate with the Kenyan University partner in ionospheric data analysis.
• To support the Kenyan University partner in educational workshops

Main duties will include:

• Conducting collaborative research within this project
• Contributing to the delivery of the project
• Participation in discussions and workshops with the project partner
• Delivering presentations/seminars to the project team
• Conducting research into the ionosphere over Africa
• Writing up the results of research and contributing to the publication of results

The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD degree or are close to completing their PhD in the ionosphere, or any other area of direct relevance to the project
• Experience in teaching/lab demonstrating
• Familiarity with ionospheric data analysis, such as GNSS data
• Familiarity with ionospheric radio science
• Demonstrated potential to publish in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals

This position is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) 12 month fixed term basis from 01 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.

For an informal conversation about the position, please contact Professor Cathryn Mitchell on eescnm@bath.ac.uk or Dr. Biagio Forte on bf263@bath.ac.uk

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded. 

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• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace  
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

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Terms and Conditions of Employment

Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.