Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Solar Wind Data Assimilation

Full time fixed term contract ending on 15/2/2028

Closing date: 23:59 7 Sept 2026

Interviews will be held: 21 Sept 2026

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

Are you a researcher with expertise in space weather, data assimilation, or numerical modelling? We invite applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant to join Prof. Mathew Owens’s NERC project “Why have space-weather forecasts not improved for a decade?”.

This is an opportunity to contribute to cutting edge research in space weather data assimilation, working within the Space and Atmospheric Electricity Research Group of the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading. Our team currently comprises seven academic staff members, two PDRAs, and four PhD students, and fosters a collaborative and dynamic research environment. You will work primarily with Prof. Mathew Owens and Dr Luke Baranard, while having opportunities to engage with projects across the group.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake independent research activities associated with the project objectives under the guidance of the Principal Investigator.
• Design, implement and evaluate methodologies for solar wind data assimilation and forecasting applications.
• Develop and maintain software tools and workflows required for project delivery.
• Develop simple physics-based models to aid interpretation of observations;
• Prepare research findings for publication in leading peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research outcomes at national and international conferences, workshops and stakeholder meetings.

You will have:

• A PhD (or PhD your completion) in physical sciences or a related discipline.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of Python programming.
• General solar and heliospheric physics knowledge
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Contact Name Prof Mathew Owens

Job Title Professor of Space Physics

Email address m.j.owens@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name, Job Title and Email address

Dr Luke Barnard, Associate Professor in Space Weather Data Assimilation, l.a.barnard@reading.ac.uk

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.