Posted 07 November 2025 • Salary Grade 6/7: £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum • Location: Glasgow • Reference: 186393 • Expiry: 16 November 2025 at 23:45
Open to Current University of Glasgow Employees Only
To make a leading contribution to a new project on space‑based climate cooling, working with Professor Colin McInnes and Dr Matteo Ceriotti. This is an exciting opportunity to join a project supported by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), working collaboratively with project partners at Delft University of Technology and AAC Clyde Space.
The successful candidate will take part in a space‑based climate cooling design study to assess the requirements for a low‑cost, small‑scale sunshade technology demonstration mission in Earth orbit.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake a broad range of top‑level tasks including defining mission requirements, orbit selection, pointing budgets, sunshade concept and preliminary spacecraft sizing. The successful candidate will also be required to work closely with our project partners to ensure integration of research activity into the wider project. Our partners at Delft University of Technology will assess the sunshade size required to enable ground‑based measurements to be made and define an observation strategy, while AAC Clyde Space will provide an industrial assessment of the mission concept.
The project will be embedded within the Space and Exploration Technology Group (SET), which comprises expertise across access to space, orbital dynamics, emerging space technologies, entry, descent and landing and planetary exploration technologies.
The post is available from 1 December 2025 until 30 November 2026.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
* Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
* Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
* Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.
* Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
* Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
* Carry out modest teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.
* Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
* Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
* Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.
* Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Welcome.
For Appointment at Grade 7
* Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.
* Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.
* Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
Essential Knowledge & Qualifications
* A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.
* A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of current issues relevant to the project.
* A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism.
For Appointment at Grade 7 – Essential Qualifications
* A4 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) with at least 2 years’ post‑doctoral experience in a similar or related role(s), or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.
Desirable
* B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent.
Skills – Essential
* C1 Project or subject specific skills.
* C2 Research creativity and cross‑discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.
* C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.
* C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.
* C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.
* C6 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.
* C7 Self‑motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.
* C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.
Skills – For Appointment at Grade 7
* C9 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism.
* C10 Knowledge of project specific technical models, equipment or techniques.
* C11 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.
Experience – Essential
* E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher.
* E2 Project or subject specific experience.
* E3 Experience of conducting systematic reviews in relevant area.
* E4 Experience of scientific writing.
* E5 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
* E6 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.
Experience – For Appointment at Grade 7
* E7 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.
* E8 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
* E9 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.
* E10 Experience in undertaking independent research.
Experience – Desirable
* F1 Experience of conducting meta‑analyses.
* F2 An emerging national or international reputation.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6/7: £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.
The post is full time (35 hours per week) and has funding until 30 November 2026.
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship. Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
Benefits
* A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
* An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
* A flexible approach to working.
* A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6‑month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Reference number: 186393
Closing Date: 16th November 2025 at 23:45
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