Position Details
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Grade: 7
Full time, fixed‑term contract up to 3 years
Salary: £36,636 – £46,049 with potential progression to £48,822
Closing date: 15th July 2026
UK and international travel may be required.
Background
The Space Environment and Radio Engineering (SERENE) group at the University of Birmingham is a leading research group in space environment and space weather research. With a multidisciplinary, collaborative and inclusive approach, the group focuses on a wide array of topics such as upper atmosphere modelling, radio propagation, satellite orbit determination and HF engineering. Additionally, the group explores fundamental physics problems concerning small‑scale ionospheric structures and non‑linear radiation belt dynamics.
To support the Ionospheric Climate – Global Reference Ionosphere (I‑C‑GloRI) European Research Council project, SERENE is looking to welcome an outstanding candidate to work in the field of ionospheric empirical modelling, D‑region ionospheric remote sensing, or ionospheric radio propagation.
This 3‑year post will provide the candidate with the opportunity to fully engage with the research group, with work spanning ionospheric data assimilation modelling, D‑region remote sensing, atmosphere‑ionosphere coupling, HF radio propagation model development and first‑principles modelling of the coupled ionosphere‑thermosphere system. The research opportunity will also allow the successful applicant to further develop their own research ideas and pursue collaborative research both locally and internationally.
SERENE’s upper atmosphere models are utilised by over 100 institutions in more than 25 countries worldwide. These models serve a dual purpose: advancing the state‑of‑the‑art in upper atmospheric science research and providing operational support for space weather products and services. Internationally and nationally, SERENE is actively engaged in shaping space weather policies and assessing associated risks.
Role Summary
- Contribute to the SERENE research group by supporting its research goals.
- Collaborate on research developing and implementing ionospheric models or measurement techniques.
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results.
- Prepare reports and scientific journal papers.
- Share work and represent SERENE at international conferences.
- Provide subject‑area support as an ionospheric modelling, measurement technique, or ML/inverse‑methods expert within SERENE.
- Assist in the training and support of other early‑career members of SERENE.
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the following:
- Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding.
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques, and methods.
- Collect research data through literature reviews, international collaboration, and data crawling.
- Develop algorithms to process and clean large and diverse ionospheric datasets.
- Share research findings through publications, research seminars, etc.
- Guide and mentor students on research‑related work, offering support to PhD students.
- Undertake management/administration arising from research.
- Contribute to school research‑related activities and administration.
- Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- First degree in physics, mathematics, or similar, with a higher degree (or nearing completion) relevant to empirical modelling, machine learning, inverse methods, ionospheric modelling and/or ionospheric measurement techniques, radio propagation, or equivalent qualifications.
- Experience using nonlinear fitting techniques or inversion methods is desirable.
- Experience studying the ionosphere or related systems is desirable.
- Strong analytical capability.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
- Collaborate on the planning and organising of research programmes.
- Coordinate work with others to ensure synergy and avoid duplication of effort.
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and a commitment to ensuring those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly in day‑to‑day activities.
Informal enquiries to David Themens, email: d.r.themens@bham.ac.uk
Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience, and such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.
We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
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