Assistant Environmental Data Scientist Didcot, England
Job description
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
The Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA, http:/www.ceda.ac.uk) is looking for an Assistant Environmental Data Scientist.
CEDA holds over 6 Petabytes of climate and environmental data and runs infrastructure and services to support UK scientists. CEDA is one of the five environmental data centres which are funded by NERC (the Natural Environment Research Council). We specialise in support for the atmospheric science, including climate change, and Earth Observations and handle large datasets such the climate projections which underpin the climate assessments of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and observations from Europe's latest space missions.
At CEDA, the appointee will join a team providing data and services to the UK academic community. Scientists in our user community need access to large and up-to-date datasets which they can process, analyse and combine with other data on our infrastructure. They also deposit their own datasets in our archives for long-term preservation and dissemination to other users.
The Graduate Scheme
The STFC Graduate scheme will give you the opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion early in your journey with us, supported by technical training and a broader programme of career support and training and development.
Our dedicated Graduate Development Team will provide the right combination of challenge and support throughout, helping you achieve your ambitions. We know that professional recognition is also important to you too, so we will provide mentoring and expertise to help you achieve valued qualifications or chartered status in your chosen field.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. For more information on our full list benefits, please visit here.
Summary of key duties & responsibilities
You will act as an Assistant Data Scientist. Your primary responsibilities will be in the data management of diverse earth observation and climate datasets to support NERC funded environmental science. New data will be sourced from external data providers, such as climate modelling centres and space agencies, as well as products derived from NERC funded science. Your tasks will include:
- Collaborate closely with data suppliers and data users
- Coordinate and timetable data acquisition activities, including automated ingestion and quality checks on new data arrivals
- Describe and record new data products and the activities and instruments that produce them
- Establish and document format and version details
- Present activities and progress at relevant UK and European science meetings
In order to apply for the role:
Essential:
- You’ll need to have, or be on course to achieve, a minimum 2:1 degree, in a relevant field of study
- Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment
- Degree in environmental or atmospheric sciences, computing or geography
- Interest in, and enthusiasm for, climate, environmental, or earth observation science
- Excellent communication skills
- Effective team player capable of working with staff at all levels and working independently
- Strong computer literacy skills
Desirable:
- Experience of earth observation and/or meteorological/ environmental data
- Background knowledge in Earth observation and remote sensing by satellites
- Understand the benefits and challenges around good data management
- Exposure to LINUX/UNIX operating systems and programming/scripting skills (preferably python)
- Inventiveness and problem-solving skills
- Manages own time effectively
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
