Lecturer in General Relativistic Astrophysics

**Ref Number**

B04-05271

**Professional Expertise**

Academic

**Department**

UCL BEAMS (B04)

**Location**

Dorking

**Working Pattern**

Full time

**Salary**

£51,474-£60,521

**Contract Type**

Permanent

**Working Type**

Hybrid

**Available for Secondment**

No

**Closing Date**

02-Sep-2024

**About us**:
We have a strong theoretical and modeling element to complement our observational strengths. This is led by Prof, S. Zane, Prof. K. Wu, and Prof. J. McEwen who are international experts in X-ray polarimetry, relativistic astrophysics, interferometry and are active members of the science teams of NASA’s _IXPE_ mission and the ground-based facilities _SKA_ and _LSST_. MSSL is the leading department for the UCL _LISA Consortium_ for gravitational wave research, and (together with the UCL Physics & Astronomy Department) leads the UK involvement in the _P-ONE_ undersea observatory for neutrino astrophysics research. MSSL is participating in developing the science ground segment for the NewAthena mission.

This post is an important element in our plan to grow MSSL’s theoretical research in compact object astrophysics, general relativistic astrophysics and black-hole imaging interferometry, with a particular focus on understanding and interpreting phenomena that will be studied by major observatories now in development such as the European Space Agency’s LISA and NewAthena missions.

Mullard Space Science Laboratory is located on its own campus in the beautiful Surrey Hills. With approximately 90 research active staff and students, and a total staff of ~150, MSSL is the UK's largest university space research group. We have the unique capability of designing, building and testing instruments and other spacecraft systems on site. Our research scientists and development engineers work together to ensure the scientific capability of the instruments we produce.

UCL was one of the first universities in the world to become involved in making scientific observations in space. Since the Department was established in 1966, we have participated in over 71 satellite missions with the European Space Agency, NASA (US), Japan, Russia, China and India, and flown over 230 rocket experiments. At present, 6 instruments which MSSL helped build are in operation on 5 Astrophysics missions, namely _XMM-Newton_, _INTEGRAL,_ _Swift_, _Gaia _and_ Euclid_.

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s academic talent, from local to global. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

**About the role**:
The successful applicant will be expected to pursue a vigorous internationally competitive original research programme to further advance high-energy/multi-messenger astrophysics and general relativistic astrophysics research at MSSL, in particular concerning general relativistic radiative transfer, general relativistic MHD, black-hole imaging interferometry and gravitational wave sources.

Duties and responsibilities

**Research**
- To pursue and encourage a vigorous and world-class research programme in general relativistic radiative transfer, general relativistic MHD, black-hole imaging interferometry and gravitational wave sources.
- To lead on research projects, and secure grant funding in order to support their research programme, postdoctoral research staff and PhD students.
- To communicate research by publishing high-impact peer-reviewed journal articles
- To take a strategic role in maximising the impact of their work in the field, and to pursue leadership positions in their field.
- To promote and advance the reputation of UCL with scientists and the public.
- To engage in external activities that bring national and international esteem to the group and UCL.

**Teaching**
- To contribute to the teaching programme of the Department, and to its planning and organisation.
- Participate in assessment and examination processes as appropriate and provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning
- Supervise taught graduate (Masters) student projects
- Recruit and mentor postdoctoral researchers, and support their career development.
- Supervise research graduate (MPhil/PhD) students and support their career development.
- To provide pastoral care and support to students.

**Management**
- To contribute to the work of Departmental or UCL-wide working groups or committees as requested.
- Line manage staff, as requested by the Head of Department
- To actively contribute to foster the research environment within the group and the department.
- Manage grant resources efficiently and effectively, when required.

**About you**:
You will have a PhD in a relevant field, and experience in topics such as general relativistic radiative transfer and general relativistic MHD. You will have an active research profile