Jodrell Bank Could End Science Work by 2028 as UKRI Funding Cuts Threaten 28 Jobs
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 28
Jodrell Bank Could End Science Work by 2028 as UKRI Funding Cuts Threaten 28 Jobs
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 28
Summary
All scientific work at Jodrell Bank could stop within two years, leaving the University of Manchester seeking replacement funding before 2028 to keep the observatory operating.
UKRI funding cuts triggered the crisis, and astronomers say losing the site would weaken a core part of Britain’s radio astronomy capability and damage training for younger researchers.
The 250ft Lovell Telescope remains central to the UK’s e-Merlin network, which links five other telescopes and has supported discoveries including supermassive black holes, new galaxies and spacecraft tracking.
Twenty-eight jobs are at risk if no new money is found, even as some activity tied to the Square Kilometre Array is still funded and the SKA’s global headquarters remains based at Jodrell Bank.
The threat comes with the SKA in South Africa and Australia due to begin gathering data in about five years, raising fears the UK could undermine its role in the next phase of radio astronomy.