Radio Investigations for Space Environment Research (RISER) is a major science project funded by NERC which aims to study the origin of adverse space-weather conditions at Earth, in particular by exploiting observations from the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) - the world's largest low-frequency radio-telescope.

The LOFAR data may be highly valuable in evaluating or initialising heliospheric models. Furthermore, the approach adopted in RISER should enable continuous and accurate tracking of inner-heliospheric and ionospheric plasma structures, and, combined with magnetospheric modelling, the development of more precise and advanced forecasts of space weather conditions and their impacts at Earth. 

The overall purpose of this job position is to use LOFAR data to verify and improve Met Office space weather forecasts and to set developments produced in RISER on track for operational use at the Met Office. The Research Associate shall work in close collaboration with the Met Office.

Summary of the role:

• to conduct individual and collaborative research within this project;
• to contribute to the execution of the project;
• to use LOFAR data and other data (such as in situ solar wind observations from the Lagrange 1 point, heliospheric imager data) as an independent and comprehensive means of evaluating heliospheric forecasts run at the Met Office. 
• to demonstrate the impact of including LOFAR data on heliospheric forecasts.
• to use the results from the above work (i.e. 1 and 2), where relevant, to help improve the Met Office heliospheric forecast system. 
• to contribute to efforts to model the coupling from the heliosphere to the magnetosphere and the ionosphere and to rigorously evaluate the results. 
• to collaborate with the Met Office to ensure that any technical and scientific evaluation and testing is sufficient to support decisions on future operational implementation at the Met Office.
• to analyse data from various instruments (e.g., LOFAR, in-situ instruments) for the characterisation of the inner heliosphere;
• to disseminate project results (by means of project reports, peer-reviewed publications, conference contributions);
• to actively participate in project meetings as well as Departmental and Group meetings;
• to interface and collaborate with the with Met Office Space Weather experts, as required by the project needs.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

About you

• A PhD in radio astronomy, space physics, space weather, space engineering, or any other area closely related to the project;
• familiarity with the use of space weather numerical models and / or analysis of space weather observations, or equivalent, including of the programming languages (e.g. Python) and Linux-based IT systems needed to develop and run these or similar applications at the Met Office;
• familiarity with verification / validation methods used to evaluate models and the performance of their forecasts;
• familiarity with, or demonstrated ability to learn, radio-based space weather observation techniques;
• ability to carry out research work and to disseminate results;
• ability to work in a team;
• passion and self-motivation.

The appointee will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment and to build their research profile in space weather science. They will be supported to travel to meetings and to share their research with the wider community as opportunities arise throughout the project.

Further information

The University of Bath is a research-intensive university with a physics/engineering 

Group in Space, Telecommunications and Atmospheric Research (STAR). STAR follows from the Centre for Space, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science (CSAOS), with activities in this area starting in 1998 at Bath. STAR Members have leading expertise in antennas and propagation, communication and navigation systems (including GNSS), ionospheric radio science, remote sensing, earth observation, signal processing, image processing and data assimilation.

For an informal conversation about the position, please contact Prof. David Jackson (david.jackson@metoffice.gov.uk) or Dr Biagio Forte (b.forte@bath.ac.uk) Please note that this is a fixed term, full time post, available from appointment until the end of funding.

This is a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term role with an expected duration of 24 months.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff. 

What we can offer you 

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
• Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• A family-friendly workplace 
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
• Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.

Be Well at Bath

We’re committed to creating a health-supporting working environment where everyone can thrive and be at their best. We offer a range of resources to enable you to do that from your first day here, including:

• Staff support groups and networks
• A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
• A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive

Find out more about being at your best at Bath.

 

Closing Date: 07 Sep 2026

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049