Planetary Research Jobs

Job announcements for planetary science

Post Doctoral Research Associate

Category: Postdocs and fellowships

Institution: University of Kent

Department: Physics & Astronomy

Location: Canterbury, UK

Duration: 36 months

Salary: £39,906 to £44,746

Number of positions: 1

Application deadline: 2026-06-21

Official announcement:

Reference code: EMP-010-26

Inquiries: peopleserviceshr@kent.ac.uk

Posted: 2026-06-08

Posted by: 0000-0001-9790-2972

Job Description

Are you excited by the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research helping protect the future of space exploration? If so, this 36 month fixed term role could be ideal.

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative Research Associate to join the ERC-funded PROSPER project, exploring the risks posed by space debris and helping develop technologies that support sustainable access to space. Working within an interdisciplinary team across physics, chemistry, engineering and computing, you’ll play a key role in developing and testing next-generation debris detectors.

As Research Associate you can expect to be involved in:

  1. Building and developing dust detector prototypes for testing and validation
  2. Conducting impact experiments using the University’s two-stage light gas gun facility
  3. Analysing detector data and developing software to support data processing and interpretation
  4. Presenting research findings through publications, presentations and collaborative project work

What will you bring to the role?

  1. A PhD (completed or near completion) in physics, engineering, computing or a related discipline, or equivalent research experience
  2. Experience working in a scientific laboratory or research environment
  3. Coding experience in Python, Matlab, LabVIEW or similar
  4. A collaborative and proactive approach, with enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research