Company: The Open University
Location: Milton Keynes
Posted: May 4th, 2026
The Open University is the UKs largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).
You will be welcomed as Research Associate in the team of the MoonRISE project, an interdisciplinary research project funded by UKRI investigating the cultural, scientific and environmental factors that determine what can be considered as sites of interest on the Moon. The project also examines the governance and ethical implications of defining sites of interest for different communities and cultures. You would be based within the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies working in close collaboration with other members of the team to develop the project's core idea of 'space diplomacy' and researching its implications for Lunar governance.
About MoonRISE
MoonRISE is a project funded by UKRI that researches the effective governance of sites of cultural, scientific and environmental interest on the Moon. The project team spans three Faculties: The Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the Faculty of Business and Law, and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The project builds upon the work of AstrobiologyOU, which looks at the scientific, ethical and governance challenges associated with Astrobiology.
About AstrobiologyOU
AstrobiologyOU is an interdisciplinary research group addressing the scientific, ethical and governance challenges associated with the advancement of astrobiology and related space exploration missions. It spans three Faculties: The Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the Faculty of Business and Law, and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, bringing together 60 members with expertise in science, international development and governance. The Groups activities are supported by funding from UK Research councils, The UK Space Agency, The European Space Agency, and commercial activities, and has grown to its current strengths through a 7.4 million investment from Research Englands Expanding Excellence in England scheme.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)
The Faculty is the largest and most diverse at The Open University, with some 50,000 students studying our modules with excellent completion rates and consistently outstanding student satisfaction ratings. Noted for the strength of our interdisciplinary approaches, our scholars of international standing teach and research a very wide range of topics and themes in specific subject areas, and having a direct and profound influence on our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
The Faculty is organised into three Schools:
The Faculty works closely with important organisations and institutions in the UK and other parts of the world in a range of validated partnerships and collaborations. Engaged in world-class, agenda setting research tackling the most difficult challenges facing us in the 21st Century, with work in numerous subject-based and interdisciplinary research groups and projects.
With c.1800 members of staff comprising academics, associate lecturers, support staff and full-time research students working across the locations of the University, combining originality and innovation in research and curriculum, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is a vibrant and exciting place to study and work.
To find out more about the Facultys teaching, learning and research, please visit:http://fass.open.ac.uk/
Essential criteria:
Desirable criteria:
If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.
At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).
We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether its a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.
It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office some attendance in the office will be required in response to business needs. Wed expect this to be at least 2 days per week, but this could be more often as business needs dictate.
We expect interviews to take place on either 24th or 25th June 2026.
While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications has been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented. If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.
To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):
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