April 2022

SPACE WEATHER SCIENTIST

UKRI – NERC – BGS
This role will be based at the BGS offices in Edinburgh, which are located
on the Heriot-Watt University campus

Appointment will be at UKRI Pay Band D

Pay Band D salary range is £31,931 to £34,709 (depending on

qualifications and experience)

Full-time – 37 hours a week

A range of flexible working options may be available

Fixed-term appointment (2 years)

About us
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that is
part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment
Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is
to inform government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied
research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is
funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.

BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has
two main sites: a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham, and the Lyell Centre, which
is a joint collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more
than 150 private sector organisations, has close links with 40 universities, and sponsors
approximately 100 PhD students each year.

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We are committed to promoting equality and diversity across our organisation in order
to continuously improve our scientific and organisational effectiveness. As such, we aim
to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are
passionate about earth science and who share our commitment to work for the good of
the environment and the benefit of society.

We will actively seek to avoid discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race, sex
or sexual orientation, being trans or a member of the non-binary community, being
married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave or religion.

The British Geological Survey has achieved Bronze status for Athena SWAN – a scheme
that recognises an organisation’s commitment and progress in developing a diverse
and inclusive workforce; we are also committed to the Disability Confident framework
and, as part of UKRI, are members of Inclusive Employers.

BGS is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Space Weather Research
Scientist to join the Geomagnetism Capability, which is part of the Multi-hazards
and Resilience challenge area, and is based in our offices in Edinburgh.

About the role

The Geomagnetism Capability (geomag.bgs.ac.uk) undertakes long-term monitoring of

the Earth’s magnetic field through the operation of magnetic observatories in the UK
and overseas. We research the magnetic field changes in satellite and observatory data
that result from space weather and solar activity.

We use worldwide land, marine, airborne and satellite data to make global models
describing how the Earth's magnetic field changes in space and time and what that
reveals about physical processes within the solid Earth as well as the near-Earth
environment.

We apply our science in:

• Global study of the magnetic field using satellite and observatory data,
particularly variation of the external (ionospheric and magnetospheric) fields
created by space weather.
• Studying the impact of space weather on ground-based technology and our
environment.

The specific tasks of the successful applicant will be to:

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 • Undertake algorithm development to fulfil BGS’s commitment to the European
Space Agency Swarm satellite scientific exploitation consortium for real-time
space weather applications.
• Undertake scientific research into the Earth’s natural magnetic fields leading to
improved modelling and understanding of the external sources.
• Undertake research into geoelectric field modelling and its effects on grounded
infrastructure.

About you

Candidates should have a PhD in geophysics, space science, physics or mathematics,

or similar relevant discipline, or equivalent post-graduate level experience in a scientific
or other research environment.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate some knowledge of geomagnetism and

space weather. Furthermore, scientific programming skills in at least two languages are
essential, with experience of version control software desirable. This post will suit a self-
motivated candidate with excellent communication skills and who is willing to be an
active team-player.

The position will be based in the BGS’s Edinburgh office and candidates must be able to
attend this office during normal working hours. The post requires the ability to
occasionally travel both nationally and internationally for meetings and conferences.

There may also be the opportunity for field work within the UK. Flexible working
(remotely up to two days per week) can be considered once the probation period (six
months) has been completed.

Please also refer to the specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.

What we offer
A generous benefits package is also offered, including a very competitive pension
scheme, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi-time.

We also offer the ‘Bike to Work’ scheme, free car parking, health and wellbeing support
and sports/social clubs.

All staff have access to a platform of learning and development opportunities and where
appropriate to the role, technical/specialist training.

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BGS provides a range of flexible working options including flexible working patterns,
compressed hours and home working so if you have a need for flexibility, please raise
this in the recruitment process when your needs, balanced with the requirements of the
role, will be fully considered.

Please note that any internal BGS staff applying for this post would, if successful, be
appointed to new UKRI Terms and Conditions and pay.

How to apply
Applicants are required to include a cover letter outlining their suitability for this role. We
would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well thought through application addressing the advertised essential and

desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic
covering letter and CV.

Applications are being handled by UK Shared Business Services. To apply, please visit
our Jobs Board.

Applicants who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on +44
(0)1793 867000.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 18 May 2022. Interviews are
expected to be held in early June 2022.

Space Weather Scientist: Skills Specification

Criteria to be assessed at Shortlist ‘S’ and Interview ‘I’ Stage

Essential Desirable

QUALIFICATIONS Research qualification or

PhD in geophysics, space science,
work experience that
physics or mathematics, or similar
includes aspects of
relevant discipline, or equivalent post-
geomagnetism (S, I)
graduate level experience in a
scientific or other research
environment (S)

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EXPERIENCE Experience in analysing scientific Experience in
datasets and presenting scientific analysing
results (S) geomagnetic data
from satellites and
observatories (S, I)

Experience in space
weather research (S,
I)

KNOWLEDGE Working knowledge of at least two Knowledge of

scientific computing languages or version control (Git)
packages (e.g. FORTRAN, C, Java, and scientific
Python, Matlab) (S) software best
practise (S, I)
Knowledge of mathematics as
applied in geophysics (S)

SKILLS & ABILITIES Good verbal, written and Peer-reviewed or

presentational skills (S, I) other scientific
publications (S, I)
Ability to prioritise work and meet
tight deadlines (S, I) Full driving licence
(S)
Demonstrates the ability to solve
problems (S, I)

PERSONAL Able to express themselves clearly Approachable by

QUALITIES and concisely in both written and colleagues and
verbal form (S, I) external contacts and
a good team player
(S, I)

MOTIVATION Displays an enthusiasm for scientific Demonstrates an

and applied aspects of space weather interest in their own
(I) Continuing
Professional
Development (I)

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Ability to work unsupervised, making
appropriate decisions and knows Demonstrates self-
when to consult others (S, I) motivation (S, I)

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