Research Associate (Planet Mercury)

University of Leicester - Physics and Astronomy

Location: Leicester

Salary: £39,906 to £46,049 per annum, pro-rata if part-time: Grade 7

Hours: Full Time, Part Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 31st March 2026

Closes: 31st May 2026

Job Ref: 13193

Vacancy terms: Full-time or job share, fixed term contract for 36 months, with the possibility for extension, subject to funding.

About the role

This STFC-funded Research and Innovation Associate (RIA) position represents an exciting opportunity to join the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo instrument team at the University of Leicester. We will soon be receiving the first data back from Mercury via the UK’s only PI instrument: the Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) (Emma Bunce PI). This post is one of three positions now available via STFC Large Grant funding to the “Planet Mercury: Origins, Evolution, and Interactions” consortium between the University of Leicester, Open University and Imperial College.

The successful candidate will work with Emma Bunce and will be located at Space Park Leicester. This represents a fantastic opportunity to develop your career analysing data from a live space mission, working with the research team both within the individual Institutions, the Planet Mercury consortium, and with the wider international MIXS team.

About you

You will hold a PhD in planetary magnetosphere physics or space plasma physics, with particular expertise in magnetosphere-surface coupling, spacecraft data analysis, and/or remote sensing techniques. A strong publication record, evidence of independent research capability, and experience working within collaborative research environments are essential. Proficiency in Python and a solid grasp of magnetosphere processes, especially those relevant to Mercury, will be key to your success in this role.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Emma Bunce on ejb10@leicester.ac.uk