Lecturer or Reader in Theoretical Plasma Physics
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh,
Scotland,
United Kingdom
Research and Science
Skilled Worker
Job posted on November 14, 2025
APPLY NOW
Job Description:
Job Description
Grade UE08 (£50,253-£61,759) or UE09 (£63,606-£78,469)
College of Science & Engineering, School of Physics and Astronomy
Open ended contract, 35 hours per week
Number of positions: 1
Applications are invited for an academic staff position at the Centre for Plasma Theory (CPT), in the University of Edinburgh School of Physics and Astronomy. This position forms part of a strategic initiative to expand CPT. Candidates are also encouraged to apply for the Lecturer/Reader that is being advertised through The School of Mathematics.
The Opportunity
The Centre for Plasma Theory, established in 2025, is a collaborative research institution that brings together researchers from the Schools of Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy, with interests in theoretical aspects of plasma physics including both kinetic and fluid theory and simulation. We aim to be a vibrant, successful and interactive research centre that generates and exploits new ideas and discoveries in the field of theoretical plasmas. We aim to be a national centre for plasma theory with applications in both fusion and astrophysical plasmas, embedded in a wider UK network.
With this new appointment, we aim to bring an outstanding theoretician to the Centre. We seek a highly creative researcher pursuing an original, ambitious research programme in theoretical plasmas and an inspiring teacher.
CPT and the School of Physics and Astronomy are committed to promoting diversity in plasma theory and we specially encourage application from women and applicants from other under-represented groups.
This post is open ended and full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.
The salary for this post isLecturer UE08 £50,253-£61,759 or Reader UE09 £63,606-£78,469 per annum.
The appointment will be at either Lecturer (UE08) or Reader (UE09) level, depending on experience.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab)
Lecturer UE08
Reader UE09
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce, and eliminating discrimination.
The School strives to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for all and we are looking to actively diversify our staff. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and in particular encourage applications from people of colour, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and other minority and under-represented groups. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working, as evidenced by our Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver awards.
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)
The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 12th December.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews will be held in February 2026.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
The School of Physics and Astronomy is in the College of Science and Engineering and comprises the Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics (IPNP), the Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems (ICMCS) and the Institute for Astronomy (IfA). We have around 100 academic staff, over 120 research staff and around 65 professional services staff.
The School of Physics and Astronomy was ranked 4th in the UK and 1st in Scotland in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 listing for the quality, scale and breadth of its research by Times Higher Education. Consistently ranked within the top 20 physics departments worldwide, these results confirm the exceptional performance of our staff, our excellent facilities, and our world-leading research.
The School runs undergraduate programmes at BSc and MPhys level in Physics, Mathematical Physics, Theoretical Physics, Computational Physics, Astrophysics and (jointly with the School of Chemistry) Chemical Physics. The undergraduate programme has flexible entry and exit points, creating courses of variable duration and level. The School accepts around 230 new undergraduates into its programmes each year and has current student populations of over 800 undergraduates, 50 taught postgraduates and 220 research postgraduates.
We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.
The School of Physics and Astronomy holds Athena SWAN Silver and IoP Juno Champion awards, in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality.
APPLY NOW
Grade UE08 (£50,253-£61,759) or UE09 (£63,606-£78,469)
College of Science & Engineering, School of Physics and Astronomy
Open ended contract, 35 hours per week
Number of positions: 1
Applications are invited for an academic staff position at the Centre for Plasma Theory (CPT), in the University of Edinburgh School of Physics and Astronomy. This position forms part of a strategic initiative to expand CPT. Candidates are also encouraged to apply for the Lecturer/Reader that is being advertised through The School of Mathematics.
The Opportunity
The Centre for Plasma Theory, established in 2025, is a collaborative research institution that brings together researchers from the Schools of Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy, with interests in theoretical aspects of plasma physics including both kinetic and fluid theory and simulation. We aim to be a vibrant, successful and interactive research centre that generates and exploits new ideas and discoveries in the field of theoretical plasmas. We aim to be a national centre for plasma theory with applications in both fusion and astrophysical plasmas, embedded in a wider UK network.
With this new appointment, we aim to bring an outstanding theoretician to the Centre. We seek a highly creative researcher pursuing an original, ambitious research programme in theoretical plasmas and an inspiring teacher.
CPT and the School of Physics and Astronomy are committed to promoting diversity in plasma theory and we specially encourage application from women and applicants from other under-represented groups.
This post is open ended and full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.
The salary for this post isLecturer UE08 £50,253-£61,759 or Reader UE09 £63,606-£78,469 per annum.
The appointment will be at either Lecturer (UE08) or Reader (UE09) level, depending on experience.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
- PhD and significant further research experience in theoretical plasmas
- Capacity to develop academic leadership
- Significant, and growing, international recognition
- Good understanding of the wider discipline
- Ability to develop research proposals and win support for them
- Ability and commitment to work with research students and postdoctoral researchers
- Commitment to excellent teaching of undergraduate and post-graduate courses
- Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills
Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab)
Lecturer UE08
Reader UE09
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter stating which role you are applying for
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
- A competitive salary
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce, and eliminating discrimination.
The School strives to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for all and we are looking to actively diversify our staff. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and in particular encourage applications from people of colour, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and other minority and under-represented groups. We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working, as evidenced by our Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver awards.
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)
The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 12th December.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews will be held in February 2026.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
The School of Physics and Astronomy is in the College of Science and Engineering and comprises the Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics (IPNP), the Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems (ICMCS) and the Institute for Astronomy (IfA). We have around 100 academic staff, over 120 research staff and around 65 professional services staff.
The School of Physics and Astronomy was ranked 4th in the UK and 1st in Scotland in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 listing for the quality, scale and breadth of its research by Times Higher Education. Consistently ranked within the top 20 physics departments worldwide, these results confirm the exceptional performance of our staff, our excellent facilities, and our world-leading research.
The School runs undergraduate programmes at BSc and MPhys level in Physics, Mathematical Physics, Theoretical Physics, Computational Physics, Astrophysics and (jointly with the School of Chemistry) Chemical Physics. The undergraduate programme has flexible entry and exit points, creating courses of variable duration and level. The School accepts around 230 new undergraduates into its programmes each year and has current student populations of over 800 undergraduates, 50 taught postgraduates and 220 research postgraduates.
We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.
The School of Physics and Astronomy holds Athena SWAN Silver and IoP Juno Champion awards, in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality.