3501326DA - Research Fellow in Magnetic Reconnection for Space Propulsion


Company:	University of Southampton
Salary:	£36,636 to £44,746 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Southampton, SO17 1BJ
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	14 Sept 2026
Closing date:	5 Oct 2026

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Summary

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow position within the Astronautics Group, in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

The post will work on a collaborative project between the University of Southampton and the University of Oxford investigating the potential of magnetic reconnection for space propulsion, as part of a three year long research project funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

The overall project is to broadly investigate the potential of magnetic reconnection as a method to accelerate plasma in future space propulsion systems. Various recent studies have suggested magnetic reconnection as a potential space propulsion method (DOI's: 10.1063/5.0320433, 10.2514/6.2023-0448, 10.1017/S0022377820001476), suggesting it has some promise in particular to achieve high specific impulse at high powers. The project will involve a collaboration between Southampton and Oxford, with the Oxford team led by Professor Dmitry Uzdensky. Oxford will develop the theoretical and analytical basis of the magnetic reconnection for space propulsion applications, whilst Southampton will focus on the experimental aspects. Using the world class vacuum facilities at Southampton we will develop a magnetic reconnection test article that can investigate magnetic reconnection at the small scale.

You will join a team of eight researchers working on different aspects of space propulsion, as part of our team working in the David Fearn Electric Propulsion Lab at the University of Southampton. It will be expected that the researcher actively engages with academic partners and with the research team through collaborative meetings, with opportunities to travel to conferences during the project duration.

It is desirable that the person has experience in designing and testing ion thruster technology, magnetic reconnection, or experimental testing of plasma devices within vacuum chambers, and a demonstrated aptitude for learning new fields of research. The person should have a PhD, or equivalent qualifications and experience, in aerospace engineering, experimental plasma physics in particular reconnection, or other ion beam uses. It is desirable that the person has experience of operating large vacuum chamber facilities, and a strong aptitude towards experimental testing. A strong track record of high-quality journal publications is an advantage.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Dr Charlie Ryan: c.n.ryan@soton.ac.uk

At the University of Southampton, we value diversity and equality. The University recognises that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will also be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability or illness. Both the University of Southampton and Chemistry are proud to hold Athena Swan Silver Awards.

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.

Apply by 11.59 pm UK time on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.

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