Senior Research Fellow - PanCam Enfys Operations and Science

About the Role

The successful candidate will work as part of the Planetary Environments Group at Open University, and be based in Milton Keynes. They will perform science and operations preparatory work to support the PanCam and Enfys instruments on the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Rover mission (RFM). Day-to-day, the role includes online meetings with the wider PanCam/Enfys team, and other RFM stakeholders such as the European Space Agency, and self-directed tasks such as designing training materials and formal documents to feed into Rover operation design. The successful candidate will learn and use bespoke online tools and software packages related to the Rover mission operations, and there will be opportunities to travel to PanCam/Enfys partners to use engineering models of the instruments to collect data.

Key Responsibilities

• Support RFM Rover Simulation and Field Trial preparation, and play a leading operations role in these activities.
• Produce instructional documents covering description and interpretation of landscape to outcrop-level geological features to be used by the PanCam/Enfys RFM teams.
• Prepare scientific and logistical planning to support future PanCam/Enfys field training.
• Help define typical sol activity plans for ongoing ESA efforts to develop strategic planning tools.
• Lead or co-lead PanCam/Enfys online seminar organisation.
• Present at conferences and team meetings.
• Lead publication of paper(s) focussing on the PanCam/Enfys activity in RFM field trials.

About You

Essential:

• A track record of independent research in Mars Rover science: Evidence required: PI of relevant research grant(s) or fellowship(s).
• A multi-year track record of active and valued participation in Mars Rover missions such as Curiosity, Perseverance, MER or Zhurong. Evidence required: mission or instrument team membership for Mars Rover missions.
• A strong record of research publication in Mars Rover Science. Evidence required: 1st author publication(s) from Mars Rover science in the last 2 years.
• Deep knowledge, understanding and experience of operations and surface geology science exploitation from Mars Rover mission(s).
• A deep background and high-level expertise in terrestrial field geology.
• Experience of preparing, leading and delivering geological field instruction relevant to Mars rover missions.
• Experience participating in Rover field trials and simulations.
• Evidence of working in a team collaboratively.

Desirable:

• Experience as surface properties scientist on a Mars Rover mission (or equivalent science/engineering crossover experience).
• Experience working with the UK PanCam and Enfys teams.
• Full driving licence and off road driving experience.