Research Associate in Atmospheric Dynamics (SS13824) – Bath, BA2 7AY

Research Associate in Atmospheric Dynamics (SS13824) – Bath, BA2 7AY

About the role

Join the Leverhulme Trust-funded Seeing the Unseen project and help answer fundamental questions about how atmospheric gravity waves influence the Earth's atmosphere, weather and climate, and may provide early warning of dangerous tropical cyclone intensification.

You will work within an international team combining satellite observations, ground-based measurements and state-of-the-art numerical models to overcome the long-standing "observational filter problem". Our goal is to produce the first physically-consistent picture of the global atmospheric gravity wave field and the momentum it transports, and you will play a central role in achieving this.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Is enthusiastic about understanding how the atmosphere works and tackling challenging scientific problems.
• Has, or is close to completing, a PhD in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, mathematics or a related discipline.
• Has experience analysing scientific data and writing research software.
• Enjoys working collaboratively and communicating science to a range of audiences.
• Is motivated to publish high-quality research and develop an international research profile.

• Investigate how atmospheric gravity waves are generated, propagate through the atmosphere, and influence large-scale atmospheric circulation.
• Analyse observations from NASA and ESA satellites alongside ground-based measurements and high-resolution atmospheric simulations to address fundamental scientific questions.
• Apply high-resolution atmospheric simulations to interpret observations, test new measurement techniques, and investigate gravity wave processes.
• Collaborate with leading UK and international researchers, publish in high-impact journals, present at international conferences, and contribute to open-source scientific software and datasets.

Further information

This is a fixed term (2 year) full time (36.5 hours per week) role.

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Corwin Wright at cw785@bath.ac.uk.

For an overview of the project and the context of our group's work, see our article introducing the broader project in the February issue of the Leverhulme Trust's Newsletter (page 10), our 2022 multi-instrument gravity wave paper in Nature which introduced some of the techniques we will use, and our recent press release on our involvement in satellite development. Prospective applicants are also very welcome to contact us informally to discuss the role, and we will be delighted to provide further details.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be entitled to a minimum of 10 days' professional development (pro rata) each year and will have considerable freedom to shape your own scientific programme within the broad goals of the project. We actively support postdoctoral researchers in developing independent research directions and fellowship applications, and recent members of the group have progressed to lectureships, independent research fellowships, and positions in meteorological agencies, industry and academia.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We\'re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

What we can offer you

We\'re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
• Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
• Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us and LinkedIn.

Be Well at Bath

We’re committed to creating a health-supporting working environment where everyone can thrive and be at their best. We offer a range of resources to enable you to do that from your first day here, including:

• Staff support groups and networks
• A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
• A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive

Find out more about being at your best at Bath.

Closing Date: 11 Aug 2026

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049