Research Assistant/Research Associate

Job id: 084608. Salary: £37,332 - £42,099/£43,205 - £50,585 including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 15 February 2024. Closing date: 07 March 2024.

Business unit: Social Science & Public Policy. Department: School of Global Affairs School Office.

Contact details:Professor Martin Wooster. [email protected]

Location: Strand Campus. Category: Research.

King’s Earth Observation and Wildfire Research Group are leading experts on environmental Earth Observation (https://wildfire.geog.kcl.ac.uk/ ). The Group is led by Professor Martin Wooster, and are seeking a highly motivated, scientifically curious, and creative research assistant to contribute to their work. The postholder will undertake guided work on the processing of geo-spatial data and/or use of existing simulation models to generate geo-spatial data. Training will be provided but the applicant will require good quantitative and data analysis skills and experience in Python programming – ideally with respect to geo-spatial datasets. There will be opportunities to collaborate with other staff within the group at King's and with researchers outside. 

The activities of the role will be guided by senior staff and there are weekly Group meetings and additional smaller meetings with those working on individual projects. Ideally applicants will have some experience in Earth Observation, though it is not an absolute necessity. They will be expected to prepare written material in documentation and PowerPoint form describing the outputs of their analysis for discussion at Group and smaller meetings. 

This position is eligible for a hybrid working structure and it will be based at the Stand Campus, Central London, and the researcher is expected to work from campus 2 days a week or more if required. The successful candidate is expected to take up the position on 1st April 2024 at the latest, or before if possible. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2025. 

This is a full-time post - 100% full-time equivalent.

• Operating of existing models simulating satellite observations  
• Development of code to process various geo-spatial datasets 
• Analysis of model output and/or the output of Earth Observation data processing chains 
• Preparation of documents and presentations informing others of the outputs of the work and the methodologies used 
• Contribution to the writing of scientific documents 
• Undertake any other reasonable duties, including assisting with other projects, that may be requested by Professor Wooster. 
• Presenting work at national meetings and/or conferences. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. 

Research Assistant  

Essential criteria

1.       Hold an undergraduate or master’s degree in quantitative analysis.  

2.       Experience with coding in Python to undertake data processing. 

3.       Have the ability to work independently and under supervision, prioritise own work in response to deadlines and organise own activities to meet deadlines. 

4.       Collaborative and relationship-oriented approach to teamwork. 

5.       Be proficient in English and demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

6.       A confirmed ability in their cover letter that they could start the post on or by 1st April 2024.  

Desirable criteria

1.       Evidence of at least 1 year of experience with processing and analysing quantitative data. 

2.       Experience in environmental remote sensing / Earth Observation. 

3.       Experience in using environmental models. 

4.       Physics or engineering background or another subject in which digital simulations are conducted.  

Research Associate

Essential criteria

1.       Hold a PhD or have submitted a science-based PhD involving quantitative analysis.  

2.       Evidence of experience with processing and analysing quantitative data.  

3.       Experience with coding in Python to undertake data processing, ideally including geo-spatial data and use of packages such as numpy, scipy, pandas, xarray, skimage. 

4.       Have the ability to work independently and under supervision, prioritise own work in response to deadlines and organise own activities to meet deadlines. 

5.       Collaborative and relationship-oriented approach to teamwork. 

6.       Be proficient in English and demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

7.       A confirmed ability in their cover letter that they could start the post on or by 1st April 2024.  

Desirable criteria

1.       Experience in environmental remote sensing / Earth Observation. 

2.       Experience in using environmental models. 

3.       Physics or engineering background or another subject in which digital simulations are conducted.  

IMPORTANT: Candidates are strongly encouraged to specifically address how they meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification in their cover letter, and to confirm if selected they would be able to commence work on or before 1st April 2024 at the latest. 

 Please note that candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting the award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances, the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.