Academic ConnectResearch Associate in Astrophysics
Job number
NAT01967
Faculties
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Departments
Department of Physics
Salary or Salary range
£48,056 - £56,345 per annum
Location/campus
South Kensington Campus - Hybrid
Contract type work pattern
Full time - Fixed term
Posting End Date
16 Jun 2025
About the role
Applications are invited for a 3-year Research Associate position in Astrophysics in the Department of Physics at Imperial.
What you would be doing
This position is supported by Dr Subhanjoy Mohanty’s STFC-funded project (co-Lead: Dr Richard Booth, Leeds), "Building Rocky Planets in the Inner Disc: From Dust to Planetesimals", which aims to understand the formation of super-Earths. The successful candidate will use the CuDisc code (developed in-house at Imperial for modelling dust dynamics and dust-gas interactions, together with radiative transfer, in protoplanetary discs), coupled to N-body simulations of planetesimals and planetary embryos (using e.g., REBOUND), to understand how planet formation may proceed in the inner disc through processes such as pebble accretion. You will be expected to help produce independent and original research, submit publications to refereed journals and support the activities of the research group. You will have the freedom to develop your own research program alongside other members of the exoplanet group and have access to Imperial's significant HPC resources.
What we are looking for
You must hold a PhD (or equivalent) in Astronomy, Planetary Science, or Physics.
You must also be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:
- Relevant research experience in exoplanet science.
- Experience in carrying out research of high quality, independently and in a team, evidenced by a portfolio of high quality research publications.
In addition, knowledge and experience in the following areas would be desirable:
- Relevant research experience in modelling protoplanetary discs.
- Relevant research experience in astrophysical fluid dynamics.
- Relevant research experience in the chemistry of the planet-forming environment.
What we can offer you
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
- Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
- At Imperial, we highly value our postdocs and are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. The Early Career Researcher Institute(ECRI) serves as a central hub, offering a wide range of resources, training, and guidance. Through ECRI, you'll benefit from tailored development opportunities—including mentoring, skills workshops, and networking events—all designed to support your growth and long-term career success.
Further information
*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £43,003 - £46,297 per annum.
For further information about the position contact: Dr Subhanjoy Mohanty s.mohanty@imperial.ac.uk
For queries regarding the application process contact: Louise Hayward, Section Administrator l.hayward@imperial.ac.uk
The Department of Physics is proud to be an IoP JUNO Practitioner and to hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and high-achieving community. We strive to create a welcoming environment for everyone and have introduced a range of initiatives to encourage collaboration, inclusivity, and professional development.
Visit our webpages for more information about the Department of Physics and Imperial Astrophysics.
We value the strength that comes from diverse perspectives and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from individuals who identify as female and those who consider themselves underrepresented in physics.
## Available documents
Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.
- download: Employee Benefits Booklet.pdf
- download: Research Associate in Astrophysics Job Description.pdf
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Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
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About Imperial
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Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.
Our Culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.
Our values are at the root of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.
