Research Fellow in Magnetic Reconnection for Space Propulsion

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow position within the Astronautics Group, in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

The post will work on a collaborative project between the University of Southampton and the University of Oxford investigating the potential of magnetic reconnection for space propulsion, as part of a three year long research project funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

The overall project is to broadly investigate the potential of magnetic reconnection as a method to accelerate plasma in future space propulsion systems. Various recent studies have suggested magnetic reconnection as a potential space propulsion method, suggesting it has some promise in particular to achieve high specific impulse at high powers. The project is a collaboration between Southampton, led by Professor Charlie Ryan, and Oxford, led by Professor Dmitri Uzdensky. Oxford will develop the theoretical and analytical basis of the magnetic reconnection for space propulsion applications, whilst Southampton will focus on the experimental aspects. Using the world class vacuum facilities at Southampton we will develop a magnetic reconnection test article that can investigate magnetic reconnection at the small scale.

You will join a group of eight researchers working on different aspects of space propulsion, with the team based in the David Fearn Electric Propulsion Lab at the University of Southampton. It will be expected that the researcher actively engages with academic partners and with the research team through collaborative meetings, with opportunities to travel to conferences during the project duration.

It is desirable that the person has experience in designing and testing ion thruster technology, magnetic reconnection, or experimental testing of plasma devices within vacuum chambers, and a demonstrated aptitude for learning new fields of research. The person should have a PhD, or equivalent qualifications and experience, in aerospace engineering, experimental plasma physics in particular reconnection, or other ion beam uses. It is desirable that the person has experience of operating large vacuum chamber facilities, and a strong aptitude towards experimental testing. A strong track record of high-quality journal publications is an advantage.

The University of Southampton values diversity and equality. The University recognises that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will also be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability or illness. The University of Southampton is proud to hold Athena Swan Silver Awards.