Oxford-SETI Institute Fellow in Planetary Climate
Department of Physics, Denys Wilkinson Building, Oxford.
Applications are invited for a joint Oxford-SETI Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Planetary Climate. The Department of Physics invites applications for a prestigious independent fellowship in the broad area of Planetary Climate. This fellowship is funded jointly by the department and by the SETI Institute. The successful applicant will be based in the Astrophysics sub-department at Oxford, and will also be an active member of the SETI Institute’s vibrant cohort of postdoctoral fellows. They will also join the Oxford Planets and Life Initiative, where they are encouraged to make broader interdisciplinary scientific collaborations.
The Fellow will lead a personal research programme in one or more subject areas relevant to exoplanets, planetary climate, and/or habitability. Their research will complement and enhance Oxford and the SETI institute’s existing strengths in exoplanet detection and characterisation, atmospheric modelling, planetary exploration, data science, astrobiology and the search for terrestrial intelligence. Fellows will have the opportunity to teach, and to assist with the supervision of graduate students, undergraduate tutorials and Masters projects and outreach activities.
Fellows will be expected to collaborate with faculty members in the Physics Department at the University of Oxford, at the SETI Institute, and within OPAL, in areas of common interest.
Applicants should hold a PhD, or (be close to completion) in astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, Earth science, or a related area, and should have a demonstrated capacity for independent work. Candidates should be capable of initiating and leading their own research programme, and should have excellent communication skills. While based in Oxford, the Fellow will be expected to visit the SETI Institute in California a few weeks per year. A proven track record of research in the observation and/or modelling of exoplanets and/or solar system planets is required. The potential to strengthen interdisciplinary connections, and/or to support the design and/or exploitation of current and future facilities, will be an advantage.
For further information contact Suzanne Aigrain, suzanne.aigrain@physics.ox.ac.uk or Jayne Birkby, jayne.birkby@physics.ox.ac.uk or Nathalie Cabrol, ncabrol@seti.org
This is a full-time post, fixed term for 3 years
The closing date for applications is noon, GMT Tuesday 15 December 2026.
You will be asked to upload a brief cover letter, a CV (2 pages max.), a list of publications, a supporting statement (3 pages max.), and a research proposal (3 pages max). The supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependants). The research proposal should outline the programme of research you propose to carry out during the fellowship.
You should arrange for your 2 referees to send your reference to leanne.odonnell@physics.ox.ac.uk before the closing date.
Contact Person: Recruitment Team
Closing Date & Time: 15-Dec-2026 12:00
Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 7
Contact Email: recruitment@physics.ox.ac.uk
Salary (£): Grade 7RS: £40,178 -£48,700 per annum
