Remote Sensing Geoscientist
This role will be based at the BGS headquarters in Keyworth in Nottingham
UKRI Pay Band C or UKRI Pay Band D (depending on qualifications and experience)
Pay Band C salary is £25,702 to £27,938 per annum and Pay Band D salary is £31,931 to £34,709 per annum
Full-time - 37 hours a week
A range of flexible working options may be available (including a small amount of hybrid/remote working which BGS is currently trialling)
Permanent appointment
About us
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to inform government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.
BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has two main sites: a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham, and the Lyell Centre, which is a joint collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more than 150 private sector organisations, has close links with 40 universities, and sponsors approximately 100 PhD students each year.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational effectiveness. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our commitment to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.
We will actively seek to avoid discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race, sex or sexual orientation, being trans or a member of the non-binary community, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave or religion.
The British Geological Survey has achieved Bronze status for Athena SWAN - a scheme that recognises an organisation's commitment and progress in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce; we are also committed to the Disability Confident framework and, as part of UKRI, are members of Inclusive Employers.
The BGS Multi-hazards & Resilience challenge area are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Remote Sensing Geoscientist to join the Geodesy and Remote Sensing Team.
About the role
The Remote Sensing Geoscientist will use their expertise in Earth Observation and underlying geological knowledge to provide input into a variety of earth science focussed projects.
Skills in image processing, GIS, data manipulation and coding will enable you to use existing tools and develop new tools/routines. You will also provide technical expertise, in the form of Linux/UNIX scripting to facilitate the import, aggregation, dissemination and archiving of UK wide GNSS data. Other duties/activities of the post include:
- Maintain and augment the Remote Sensing capabilities of the Geodesy and Remote Sensing Team using established techniques and develop new methodologies for processing and extracting information from a variety of Earth Observation (EO) datasets for a range of geosciences applications.
- To use coding skills (linux shell and/or Python/Matlab) to run and debug scripts designed to import, aggregate and disseminate GNSS data.
- To interact with GNSS data users to deliver data meeting their requirements.
- Evaluate new sensor technologies and identify their relevance to BGS research.
- To conduct collaborative research objectives, projects and proposals within the BGS strategic aims.
- To support innovative research proposals and funding bids.
- To build relationships and collaborate actively with internal and external contacts (particularly BGS), nationally and if appropriate internationally to complete research projects and to advance the discipline.
- Disseminate results via BGS reports, peer review publications, conference presentations and other appropriate media.
About you
This role will enable an early career researcher to develop their research interests alongside the more routine application of their skills to a number of geological and remote sensing projects. You will work across all disciplines including having direct contact with customers of the archived GNSS data. You will have a first degree (or equivalent) in an Earth or Physical Science and a MSc (or equivalent) in Earth Observation or a related subject. A PhD (or equivalent relevant experience) in Earth Observation or a related subject would be highly desirable.
The post will enable the applicant to build their geological remote sensing research career as they learn from experts in the field, and have the opportunity to continually develop their technical, communication and interpersonal skills. Exposure to and active work within a wide range of remote sensing and geodetic disciplines including optical, radar, GNSS, UAV along with occasional fieldwork in the UK and overseas offers the opportunity to see what you are interested in and build from those research interests.
Please also refer to the specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.
What we offer
A generous benefits package is also offered, including a very competitive pension scheme, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi-time.
We also offer the 'Bike to Work' scheme, free car parking, health and wellbeing support and sports/social clubs.
All staff have access to a platform of learning and development opportunities and where appropriate to the role, technical/specialist training.
BGS provides a range of flexible working options including flexible working patterns, compressed hours and home working so if you have a need for flexibility, please raise this in the recruitment process when your needs, balanced with the requirements of the role, will be fully considered.
Please note that any internal BGS staff applying for this post would, if successful, be appointed to new UKRI Terms and Conditions and pay.
How to apply
Applicants are required to provide a CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for this role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.
A well thought through application addressing the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
Applications are being handled by UK Shared Business Services. To apply, please click apply.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 30th May 2022. Interviews are expected to be held in late June 2022.
