Forth-ERA SEPA Earth Observation Scientist

Forth-ERA SEPA Earth Observation Scientist Apply
Post Details

Full time

Fixed term for 12 months

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 02 January 2024.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

Scotland’s International Environment Centre is looking to appoint a highly motivated, and ambitious Earth Observation Scientist with expertise in the application of satellite data in environmental monitoring to work on a project connected to the Forth Environmental Resilience Array (Forth-ERA): a programme pioneering the development of a world-leading digital environmental observatory for the Forth Valley Region in Scotland in collaboration with a range of regional and national stakeholders. You will join a dynamic, innovative team of scientists and technical specialists focussed on delivering a programme that will help deliver on Scotland’s net zero and broader environment targets. The successful candidate will work on a research and innovation project funded under a Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA) between the University of Stirling and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Your role will be to develop and validate Earth observation algorithms for the assessment of inland and coastal water quality and to implement these into an operational processing chains. The successful applicant will join a team of scientists working on similar research projects and will have access to high-performance compute and storage provided by a multi-million-pound investment in public-cloud data centre being built to support Scotland’s International Environment Centre.

Description of Duties

• Develop and implement innovative methods for the processing, analysis, and quality control of satellite data for the estimation of water quality parameters in inland and coastal waters
• Collate and curate available in-situ data for the validation of satellite water quality algorithms and apply suitable appropriate quality control routines
• Develop and implement methodologies to assess the accuracy and transferability of satellite water quality data including the estimation of uncertainty
• Develop case-studies to exemplify the efficacy of Earth observation for water quality assessment in the UK
• Write or contribute to publications, reports, presentations and disseminate results and outcomes using other appropriate media as appropriate
• Contribute to proposals to secure funding, including drafting grant proposals and planning for future proposals from internal and external bodies to support future research related to the existing post

Essential Criteria

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline such as Earth observation, geophysics, environmental science, or data science
• Demonstrable experience of satellite data processing and analysis for environmental applications including routines for atmospheric correction, parameter estimation and time-series aggregation
• Demonstrable experience with approaches used to develop and modify algorithms for the analysis of satellite data using physical, statistical and/or machine learning approaches
• Familiarity with methodologies for assessing the accuracy of satellite data products including the quantification of errors and uncertainties
• Demonstrable proficiency in scientific programming in one or more languages (e.g., Python) and an ability to self-learn new technical skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and confidence presenting to external audiences

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience in the application of satellite data to water quality monitoring in inland and/or coastal environments
• Experience in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches for the analysis of satellite data
• Experience building operational highly automated processing chains for near-real time data production
• Experience with the visualisation and dissemination of satellite data to end-users (e.g., webGIS)
• Experience of managing a small research project or identified parts of a large project, ideally involving multiple collaborators and stakeholders

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

The Faculty of Natural Sciences was formed in August 2016 and encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. The FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter- relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological, and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. Results of REF2014 confirmed that our research is regarded as world-leading and internationally excellent. Our research is supported through UK Research Councils, the European Union and a range of research charities and private enterprises. We work with businesses and public service organizations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems.

Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES)

The strength of Biological and Environmental Sciences lies in our unique focus on the interface between people and the environment, which positions us well to exploit growing funding opportunities and to develop strong student interest in environmental and ecological disciplines ranging from conservation and evolutionary ecology to environmental processes including carbon and nutrient cycling, aquatic sciences and ecology, pollution, environment and human health, and impact monitoring. Our studies incorporate science, policy and practice; they are used to inform national and international policy makers and practitioners in conservation and environmental regulation, planning and management. Our research and impacts are found in all continents of the world and positions us as a leading institution in Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation. Our location, the City of Stirling, is fast becoming a centre for environmental and conservation activity in Scotland, with four times the national average number of jobs in the environment sector.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk  @stiruni

Job number

FAC01867

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract

Posting End Date

02-Jan-2024

Location:

Stirling Campus

Grade

Grade7 £37,099-£44,263 p.a.

Faculty/Service

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Post Details

Full time

Fixed term for 12 months

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 02 January 2024.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

Scotland’s International Environment Centre is looking to appoint a highly motivated, and ambitious Earth Observation Scientist with expertise in the application of satellite data in environmental monitoring to work on a project connected to the Forth Environmental Resilience Array (Forth-ERA): a programme pioneering the development of a world-leading digital environmental observatory for the Forth Valley Region in Scotland in collaboration with a range of regional and national stakeholders. You will join a dynamic, innovative team of scientists and technical specialists focussed on delivering a programme that will help deliver on Scotland’s net zero and broader environment targets. The successful candidate will work on a research and innovation project funded under a Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA) between the University of Stirling and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Your role will be to develop and validate Earth observation algorithms for the assessment of inland and coastal water quality and to implement these into an operational processing chains. The successful applicant will join a team of scientists working on similar research projects and will have access to high-performance compute and storage provided by a multi-million-pound investment in public-cloud data centre being built to support Scotland’s International Environment Centre.

Description of Duties

• Develop and implement innovative methods for the processing, analysis, and quality control of satellite data for the estimation of water quality parameters in inland and coastal waters
• Collate and curate available in-situ data for the validation of satellite water quality algorithms and apply suitable appropriate quality control routines
• Develop and implement methodologies to assess the accuracy and transferability of satellite water quality data including the estimation of uncertainty
• Develop case-studies to exemplify the efficacy of Earth observation for water quality assessment in the UK
• Write or contribute to publications, reports, presentations and disseminate results and outcomes using other appropriate media as appropriate
• Contribute to proposals to secure funding, including drafting grant proposals and planning for future proposals from internal and external bodies to support future research related to the existing post

Essential Criteria

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline such as Earth observation, geophysics, environmental science, or data science
• Demonstrable experience of satellite data processing and analysis for environmental applications including routines for atmospheric correction, parameter estimation and time-series aggregation
• Demonstrable experience with approaches used to develop and modify algorithms for the analysis of satellite data using physical, statistical and/or machine learning approaches
• Familiarity with methodologies for assessing the accuracy of satellite data products including the quantification of errors and uncertainties
• Demonstrable proficiency in scientific programming in one or more languages (e.g., Python) and an ability to self-learn new technical skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and confidence presenting to external audiences

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience in the application of satellite data to water quality monitoring in inland and/or coastal environments
• Experience in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches for the analysis of satellite data
• Experience building operational highly automated processing chains for near-real time data production
• Experience with the visualisation and dissemination of satellite data to end-users (e.g., webGIS)
• Experience of managing a small research project or identified parts of a large project, ideally involving multiple collaborators and stakeholders

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

The Faculty of Natural Sciences was formed in August 2016 and encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. The FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter- relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological, and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. Results of REF2014 confirmed that our research is regarded as world-leading and internationally excellent. Our research is supported through UK Research Councils, the European Union and a range of research charities and private enterprises. We work with businesses and public service organizations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems.

Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES)

The strength of Biological and Environmental Sciences lies in our unique focus on the interface between people and the environment, which positions us well to exploit growing funding opportunities and to develop strong student interest in environmental and ecological disciplines ranging from conservation and evolutionary ecology to environmental processes including carbon and nutrient cycling, aquatic sciences and ecology, pollution, environment and human health, and impact monitoring. Our studies incorporate science, policy and practice; they are used to inform national and international policy makers and practitioners in conservation and environmental regulation, planning and management. Our research and impacts are found in all continents of the world and positions us as a leading institution in Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation. Our location, the City of Stirling, is fast becoming a centre for environmental and conservation activity in Scotland, with four times the national average number of jobs in the environment sector.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk  @stiruni

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