Graduate Environmental Data Scientist

Description

Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £33,380 (plus £1000 welcome bonus)
Hours: Full time 
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing Date: Sunday 20th October 2024
Assessment Centre: December 2024/January 2025 TBC (travel and accommodation will be reimbursed)

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.

The Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA, http:/www.ceda.ac.uk) is looking for an Graduate Data Scientist.

CEDA holds 25 Petabytes of climate and environmental data and runs infrastructure and services to support UK scientists. CEDA is funded to support the research community by NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) and in particular, two of its research centres, NCAS (National Centre for Atmospheric Science) and NCEO (National Centre for Earth Observation).

At CEDA, the appointee will join a team providing environmental data and associated 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 longterm preservation and dissemination to other users.

You will help to ensure that we hold local copies of a number of key Earth observation and climate datasets required by our science users, and support scientists who wish to archive their datasets with CEDA.

Brief overview of the 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 Early Careers 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 of benefits, please visit here.

About the role and a 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, e.g. NASA, ESA, NOAA, EUMETSAT, as well as products derived from NERC funded science. Your tasks will include:

• Liaise with data suppliers and data users as necessary
• Coordinate and timetable data acquisition activities, including automated ingestion and quality checks on new data arrivals
• Describe and document 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

To apply for this graduate opportunity, we are looking for the following:
Key – Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I) 

Essential: 

• Achieved, or be on course to achieve, a minimum 2:1 degree, in a relevant field of study (S)
• Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment(S)
• Degree in environmental or atmospheric sciences, computing or geography (S)
• Interest in, and passion for, climate, environment or earth observation science (S&I)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (S&I)
• An effective team player capable of working with staff at all levels (S&I)
• Ability to work independently (S&I)
• Strong computer literacy skills (S&I)

Desirable: 

• Experience of earth observation and/or meteorological/ environmental data (S&I)
• Background knowledge in earth observation and remote sensing by satellites (S&I)
• Understand the benefits and challenges around sound data management (S&I)
• Computing skills including exposure to LINUX/UNIX operating systems and programming/scripting skills (preferably python) (S&I)
• Some inventiveness and problem solving skills (S&I)
• Manages own time effectively (I)
• Ability to multi-task (I)

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Qualifications

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.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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. 

Primary Location

: England-Oxfordshire-Didcot

Job

: Early Careers

Organization

: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)Contract Type: Open Ended

Unposting Date

: 20-10-2024Hours: Full-time

Salary (Pay Basis)

: Pound Sterling (GBP)33,380.00Band UKRI: UKRI-Band C S1