About the role
This post is a permanent Lectureship or Associate Professorship in Space Instrumentation Engineering at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the Department of Space and Climate Physics (
The successful applicant will pursue a competitive original research programme, complementary to MSSL’s existing research and technology involvements and aligned with MSSL’s strategic goals. They will actively pursue opportunities leading to novel instrument technologies, future space missions and/or space instrument roles aligned with the Department’s strategic science interests. They will also contribute to our space engineering teaching programme.
Applicants with expertise in space instrumentation development (in situ and/or remote sensing), CubeSat engineering, embedded software, or satellite communications are particularly welcomed, but applications are not restricted to those with this type of experience.
Full job descriptions for both the Grade 8 Lecturer and the Grade 9 Associate Professor are attached to this advert.
About you
Successful candidates will have a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field, and undertake impactful high quality research in areas related to space instrumentation and/or technology development, in support of the Department’s strategic priorities. You will lead on research and technology development projects and secure grant or contract funding to support the associated programme, research and/or technical staff and PhD students. You will also communicate research by publishing work of high scientific and technical merit in peer-reviewed journal articles and take a strategic role in maximising the impact of research work and to pursue leadership positions in the field.
Candidates will also have teaching experience at undergraduate/postgraduate university level, commitment to high quality teaching and to fostering a positive learning environment for students, including in person at UCL’s main campus in Bloomsbury, London.
It is essential that you have the ability to supervise academic work by PhD and MSc students and the ability to pursue a successful research or technology development programme, demonstrating independent ideas and a commitment to science and engineering principles.
Expertise in building, testing, calibrating and/or operating instrumentation in space or for relevant ground-based research is desirable, as is experience of preparing competitive research grants, contracts and/or fellowship proposals (and when successful, of managing funds and reporting to external funders).
Please review the job description most aligned with your experience, paying particular attention to the Essential and Desirable criteria in the relevant Person Specification, and ensure these are covered in your application.
What we offer
The salary for Grade 8 and 9 appointments (Lecturer and Associate Professor) can be found in the job description, located at the bottom of this page.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
Eligibility to join the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS)
Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
On-site swimming pool (not heated)
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
Discounted medical insurance