Senior Research Fellow In Space Program Management And Mission Design

The University of Portsmouth is a global employer of choice where exceptional people create, share and apply knowledge that makes a difference.

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Ambition, Responsibility and Openness drive our every endeavour. Join our esteemed institution with a proven track record of success, and where dedication to excellence is key. We want people to make their mark in a professional community that truly values people, innovation, and achievement.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Senior Research Fellow in Space Projects and Mission Design with leadership qualities and experience working on developing space projects to join our dynamic fast-paced team as we build exciting new interdisciplinary research programs.

The successful applicant will have the exciting opportunity to play a critical leading role in growing space activities at the University with a focus on Space Systems Engineering and Simulation and Mission Design. This will include leading the development of a new CubeSat program, working with local space industry partners, growing regional and national university partnerships, liaising with relevant space agencies both nationally and internationally, research in Space Systems Engineering and Teaching.

The Instituite of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG) consists of 20 academic staff, around 20 postdoctoral researchers, 6 research software engineers, around 30 PhD students, and has an active international visitors programme. The ICG hosts a Space Mission Incubator and has major involvement in the Dark Energy Survey (DES), the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), the Vera Rubin Observatory, ESA’s Euclid satellite mission, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the Gravitational Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO), and other international collaborations. The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet) and hosts the 4704-core SCIAMA supercomputer. More information is available here.

This position is a fixed term for 36 months in the first instance. Term duration to be reviewed after 24 months.

Interviews expected in early April 2024. We prefer the applicant to start as soon as possible, though there is flexibility.

Informal enquiries are welcomed by Dr Becky Canning (ICG Deputy Director, Space)

You do not need to complete the DORA research section.

Please include in your application a 2 page CV and a 2 page covering letter which states:

1) How you address essential criteria in the person specification

2) A short research plan addressing what research in Space systems engineering simulation and/or Mission Design you would wish to conduct

3) What subjects in Space systems engineering you could teach

If you are shortlisted we will request three letters of recommendation to be sent by email to icg-recruitment@port.ac.uk prior to your interview date.

The University of Portsmouth believes this role is eligible for sponsorship with UKVI under the Skilled Worker Route visa. Please familiarise yourself with the requirements set out before applying for this role. If you are unable to meet the requirements for sponsorship you will need to confirm details of an alternative visa to work in the UK when applying for this role.

If you do not currently have Right to Work (RTW) in the UK, the University will support you to obtain the necessary Visa. If you are eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa or a Global Talent Visa the University will support you with the required supporting documents.

We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community. As an Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charter award holder, a member of Stonewall and a Disability Confident Employer we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all talented people. Applications are particularly encouraged from under-represented groups in the physical sciences. We are pleased to consider applications from candidates wishing to work part-time, job-share or who wish to work flexibly. In addition, we want our workforce to be representative of our diverse student population. Please see our EDI Framework and objectives.

Please note the closing date may be extended if required.