Research Fellow in Solar Physics

Research Fellow in Solar Physics Closing Date: 2026-09-21T22:59:59.000Z About us The Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), part of University College London (UCL), is located on its own campus in the beautiful Surrey Hills, surrounded by woodland approximately 30 miles south of central London. MSSL is the UK's largest university space research group, with approximately 90 research-active staff and students and around 150 staff in total. Space science is a discipline that demands highly innovative technologies, and MSSL has an international reputation for excellence in this field. UCL was one of the first universities in the world to become involved in making scientific observations in space. Since the Department was established in 1966, it has participated in 73 satellite missions with organisations including the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA and international partners in Japan, Russia, China and India, as well as flying 224 rocket experiments. About the role An exciting opportunity has arisen for a research fellow to join the Solar Physics Group of the Department of Space and Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, MSSL), University College London (UCL). Research in the Solar Physics Group includes focusing on the physical process taking place in the atmosphere, in relation to CMEs, using a broad range of data. Including datasets collected by space instrumentation in which our group plays a leading role, in particular the Extreme Ultra-violet Imager onboard Solar Orbiter and the Extreme-violet Imaging Spectrometer onboard Hinode. The group also has a strong track record in solar research that combines our observations with theoretical and numerical analyses. This research position will focus on using multi-spacecraft observations, to track active regions during their lifetimes. This will enable a better understanding of processes that determine its eruptive and non-eruptive phases. Opening new windows in our understanding of eruptive activity and creating foundational knowledge that will be key for developing the ability to forecast CMEs ahead of time for space weather purposes. About you You will be a researcher with, or expecting to complete, a PhD in Solar Physics or a closely related discipline. You will bring a strong understanding of the fundamental processes governing the evolution of solar magnetic fields, particularly the connections between the photosphere, chromosphere and corona within active regions. You will have experience of analysing magnetic field configurations and their evolution using remote sensing observations, alongside the application of magnetic field models, extrapolations and quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) techniques to investigate magnetic topology. The successful candidate will be confident working with observations from multiple solar missions, combining and interpreting data gathered from different viewpoints to address complex scientific questions. You will possess excellent computational and analytical skills, with experience of developing and applying sophisticated data analysis techniques using tools such as Python and SSWIDL. You will be comfortable working with large and complex datasets and able to draw robust scientific conclusions from your analysis. We are looking for someone who can communicate complex scientific findings clearly and effectively through publications, presentations and collaborative discussions. You will thrive both as part of an international research team and when working independently, demonstrating strong organisational skills, the ability to manage competing priorities and a commitment to delivering high-quality work to agreed timescales. Further information on the responsibilities of the role and the essential and desirable criteria can be found in the attached job description and person specification. What we offer We offer the opportunity to join a friendly and supportive team in a varied role, contributing to the daily life of a world-leading space science research department. Based in the beautiful Surrey Hills, you will play an important role in supporting staff, students and visitors through the delivery of catering services. In addition to a competitive salary, UCL provides a generous benefits package, including 41 days' leave (inclusive of annual leave, bank holidays and closure days, pro rata for part-time staff), membership of a defined benefit pension scheme, learning and development opportunities, wellbeing support and a range of staff discounts and benefits. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more. A full job description, person specification and application details can be accessed via the links below. Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our long-term commitment and 'beacon' status in advancing gender equality. We are in the process of applying for an Institute of Physics Inclusion Award.