The Department of Physics proposes to appoint an Associate Professor or Professor of physics of exoplanet atmospheres. The successful candidate will also be appointed as an Official Fellow and Tutor in Physics at Somerville College, under arrangements described in the further particulars. The combined University and College salary will be according to experience on a scale from £51,306 to £68,892 per annum plus (where qualifying) and a college housing allowance of (currently) £10,905 p.a. An allowance of £2,990 p.a. would be payable upon award of Full Professor title. Full Professors also have access to further merit-based pay awards.

 

The main duties of the post are to carry out, disseminate the results of, obtain funding for, and supervise research at a high international standard in the physics of exoplanet atmospheres, to teach a range of topics in physics via lectures, classes and tutorials, and to perform administrative and pastoral functions associated with teaching and research.

 

The post-holder will join a vibrant community of scientists in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (AOPP), which is one of the six sub-departments that together make up the Department of Physics. AOPP members conduct fundamental research into atmospheres, oceans and surfaces and their interactions, of Earth, planets, moons and asteroids. AOPP’s research can be broadly categorized into climate and planetary physics, with cross cutting themes of planetary circulation & composition as well as cross-cutting methodologies (theory, observations, modelling) intrinsically linking these research areas. The issues addressed are among the most significant and pressing, ranging from the physics underpinning our understanding of climate change to the search for planetary conditions suitable to support life. There is a natural synergy between AOPP work on exoplanet atmospheres, the study of Earth’s climate system, and exploration of Solar System bodies.

 

The successful candidate will hold a doctorate in the field of Physics or other physical science discipline pertinent to the behaviour of planetary atmospheres, and will have a proven research record of high quality at international level in the areas of theory, simulation or observations of exoplanet atmospheres. Candidates are sought who have successfully collaborated at the interface of modelling and observations, though their primary expertise may lie in either of the two approaches.  They will be an excellent teacher at undergraduate and graduate level, have the interpersonal skills necessary to engage with students and colleagues at all levels and will participate in the administration of Sommerville College and the Physics Department. They will be expected to develop a world-leading research programme in the physics of exoplanet atmospheres, complementing and strengthening current planetary research across AOPP.

 

Further particulars, containing details of the application procedure and of the duties, may be obtained below. Enquiries may be made to Prof. Philip Stier at philip.stier@physics.ox.ac.uk. Enquiries about the college side of the appointment should be addressed to senior.tutor@some.ox.ac.uk.

 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon GMT on 10 July 2023. Please quote departmental reference 165280 on all correspondence. **Applicants should ensure that their referees send letters by the same deadline.
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Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.