Research Assistants

University of Surrey; Guildford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Relocation assistance

Flexible working

Campus facilities access

Travel schemes

On-site nursery

Job summary

The University of Surrey invites applications for two part-time Research Assistant positions (0.33 FTE) to support the MAGPIE project. You will help assess magnesium feedstock from lunar materials, conduct high-temperature experiments at Surrey Space Centre, and contribute to reports under the project team.

Fixed-term until June 2027. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant subject and strong skills in literature review, data interpretation and laboratory documentation.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant subject (space engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics or planetary science).
• Ability to critically review scientific literature and interpret quantitative data.
• Experience with mineralogy or geochemistry or thermal processing/experimental engineering is desirable.
• Strong written communication and documentation of methods, assumptions and results.
• Organised approach to research and ability to work across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Review lunar sample measurements and mineral maps to assess magnesium abundance and minerals.
• Compare lunar regolith simulants and select representative material for testing.
• Conduct chemical and mineralogical characterisation and document feedstock specs.

Skills

Literature review

Data interpretation

Scientific calculations

Written communication

Organised research

Education

Degree in space engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics or planetary science

Tools

Vacuum furnace

Analytical instruments

Job description

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. We are seeking two part-time Research Assistants (0.33 FTE) to support MAGPIE, a European Space Agency-funded project investigating whether magnesium derived from lunar material could serve as a practical feedstock for electric propulsion. The nine-month project brings together the University of Surrey and Eos Space Technology Ltd. The roles offer an opportunity to contribute to lunar resource research and to prepare high-temperature experiments at Surrey Space Centre, working with the project team under the supervision of Dr Sungwoo Lim and Dr Andrea Lucca Fabris. These are fixed-term positions until June 2027. The two Research Assistants will undertake complementary activities.

Lunar resources and feedstock assessment

You will review published measurements of lunar samples and composition maps to assess magnesium abundance and the minerals that contain it. You will compare these findings with available lunar regolith simulants and help select a representative material for laboratory testing. You will also conduct chemical and mineralogical characterisation. Your work will provide a documented feedstock specification and estimates of magnesium availability for extraction and for system studies.

Extraction assessment and laboratory investigation

You will compare molten regolith electrolysis, carbothermal reduction and vacuum pyrolysis using published evidence and preliminary thermodynamic, mass and energy calculations. You will help prepare the experimental plan, vapour-collection interfaces and analytical methods for a high-temperature vacuum furnace. You will also conduct laboratory experiments and analyse the feed, residue and collected deposits to assess magnesium redistribution or recovery.

Both roles will involve maintaining research records, interpreting results, and contributing to technical reports and project meetings.

You will have a degree in a relevant subject, such as space engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics or planetary science, or equivalent experience.

• The ability to critically review scientific literature and to interpret quantitative data.
• Relevant knowledge of mineralogy or geochemistry for the resource role, or of thermal processing, thermodynamics or experimental engineering for the extraction role.
• The ability to perform scientific calculations and to document methods, assumptions and results clearly.
• An organised approach to research, strong written communication, and the ability to work with colleagues across disciplines.
• For duties involving laboratory work, the ability to follow approved procedures and work safely, with appropriate training and supervision.

• We offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate, flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.