Find More Than 10K+
United Kingdom Jobs

Full time.
Fixed term for 24 months.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 20 August 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 12 September 2023.

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 University of Stirling invites applications for a Research Fellow in Earth Observation to join the Earth and Planetary Observation Research Group. We are looking for a candidate with expertise in remote sensing to lead the development of EO-based products for rivers with a particular focus on Danube (Horizon Europe Danube4all) and the Forth (NERC MOT4Rivers) and their subcatchments.

The postholder can expect to apply their skill set to provide real insights into important scientific challenges including flood dynamics, surface soil moisture, and water quality. As an integral member of the research group, the postholder will apply their skill set to work on the development and validation of satellite observations undertake the curation, processing and analysis of in situ and satellite datasets within these catchment systems. The postholder will be well versed in developing scalable Earth observation products that support the monitoring and sustainable management of inland waters and work across research groups within the UK and across Europe.

• Develop and/or implement methods for the processing, analysis and quality control of in situ and satellite data (including mainly radar observations) for flooding, soil moisture, and other relevant added-value products
• Develop new research methodologies and approaches
• Lead the authoring of projects reports and deliverables, write or contribute to publications, present research findings at scientific or industry-related meetings, and disseminate research to non-scientific audiences through appropriate media and forums
• 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
• Have a willingness to travel within the UK and internationally for fieldwork and scientific meetings, sometimes independently
• Any other project-related duties, commensurate with the grade of the post
• Contribute to other projects and collaborate with academic colleagues, across disciplines, on areas of shared research interest and to ensure that research advances inform faculty teaching effort

• PhD in an appropriate discipline such as remote sensing, geophysics, environmental science, or engineering
• Demonstrable experience of satellite image processing and analysis for environmental applications
• The enthusiasm and ability to solve complex problems using radar and/or optical remote sensing
• Demonstrable proficiency in scientific programming in one or more languages (e.g., Python, R) with ability to quickly learn new technical skills
• Developing ability to conduct individual research work and to disseminate results
• Ability to routinely communicate complex and conceptual ideas to those with limited knowledge and understanding as well as to peers using high level skills and a range of media

• Experience in using SAR and thermal data for one or more of: flood mapping, soil moisture, water temperature or vegetation mapping
• Experience in the use of machine learning or statistical libraries for image analysis
• Experience of undertaking sampling campaigns in inland or marine waters
• Experience of contributing to grant applications
• Experience of supervising colleagues
• Valid international driver’s license
• Experience of managing a small research project or identified parts of a large project
• Strong interest in applying Earth observation methods to guide nature-based solutions

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.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. 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. The most recent national assessment of research - REF2021 -confirmed that 80% of our research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland’s International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.

Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES)
Our research interests are broad, ranging from conservation and evolutionary ecology to environmental processes including carbon and nutrient cycling, aquatic and catchment sciences, landscape and forest ecology, evolutionary biology, environment and human health, energy and environmental sustainability. Research activities are led by principal investigators who seek to understand the fundamental processes driving the evolution and maintenance of the natural environment and its interactions with human populations. We develop and exploit a range of technologies from Earth observation through to molecular techniques to understand how environments function and ecosystems are impacted from local to global scales and over annual to millennial timescales. Our research and impacts are found in all continents of the world and position us as a leading institution in Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation. In REF2021 all 100% of our research was rated as having either outstanding or very considerable impact.

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