UCL is one of the world's top universities based in the heart of London. It is a modern, outward-looking institution. UCL's staff and former students have included 32 Nobel prize winners. It is a truly international community: more than one-third of our student body – more than 35,000 strong – come from 150 countries and nearly one-third of staff are from outside the UK.
Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was selected as the fourth medium class mission in ESA’s Cosmic Vision programme. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they are formed, and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System.
About the role
An exciting opportunity has arisen at the UCL Centre for Space Exochemistry Data for an experienced and self-motivated Science Communications Officer to support the ongoing development of project Ariel and to help manage a follow-up campaign of Ariel targets performed by amateur astronomers globally called ExoClock.
The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Giovanna Tinetti, lead scientist on the Ariel project. They will be responsible for managing the ExoClock project within the Ariel Ephemerides Working Group.
This is a fixed term position until 31 March 2025 in the first instance.
The postholder will manage the ExoClock project within the Ariel Ephemerides Working Group and oversee its improvement and development, including social media feeds, blogging sites, and any podcast series. It is imperative that the successful candidate has sound organisational skills, and the ability to work efficiently to tight deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential as duties include being able to write, edit and distribute content to promote and communicate ExoClock.
The successful candidate will have proven experience of communicating complex academic or scientific concepts concisely through diverse media formats to audiences with wide ranging degrees of experience and expertise, ideally within science outreach projects and public engagement for astrophysics.
What we offer
At UCL, we offer a competitive benefits package including 27 days annual leave plus six days (bank holidays are in addition), hybrid and flexible working, pension scheme, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay, workplace nursery, employee assistance programme and much more!
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce or in the Physics & Astronomy department. These include people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and women.
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