Geomagnetic Data Processor

Appointment will be at UKRI Band B/S2 or Band C/S2 (depending on qualifications, skills, and experience)

Salary: Band B/S2 is £26,876 per annum and Band C/S2 is £31,298

Contract Type: Fixed term (3 years)

Full-time – 37 hours a week

Location: BGS Lyell Centre, Edinburgh

BGS has an exciting science career opportunity for two skilled and motivated geomagnetic data processors to join the BGS Geomagnetism Team on 3-year fixed term contracts. The positions are based in our offices in Edinburgh, located on the Heriot Watt University campus.

The Geomagnetism Team 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 observatory and satellite data that result from space weather and solar activity and how this impacts modern technology.  We also 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.

Key duties and responsibilities

• To assist with the team’s capability to enable enhanced geomagnetic referencing services for navigation by responding to industry customers by e-mail on a day-to-day basis and delivering results to those customers within set timescales; and
• To provide support to the team’s activities in operating the BGS magnetic observatories, by carrying out routine data analysis, quality control checking and monitoring the real-time delivery of high-quality data products to both scientific and commercial users.

In addition, you will also:

• Provide scientific support to colleagues working on new science, IT and engineering developments and improvements to the team’s outputs and services including space weather and navigational information; and
• Undertake appropriate on-the-job training in basic geomagnetism to understand the background to the work being carried out. 

You will have qualifications in Mathematics and/or Physics to at least Scottish Higher or A-Level standard.  A BSc (Hons) in Geophysics, Physics, Space Science, Mathematics, or evidence of similar capability would be necessary for the Band C role. 

Candidates should be able to demonstrate a proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word and Excel.  Experience working on Linux-based computers or in other non-Windows operating systems would be a real advantage, as would programming skills (particularly one or more of Python, FORTRAN, C, Java, shell scripting) as well as a familiarity with scientific data analysis. 

You should also be able to demonstrate an interest in Geomagnetism and/or Space Weather and some basic background knowledge in these areas would be desirable. 

Please refer to the full criteria detailed on the careers portal website. 

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

If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 22 June 2025.  Interviews are expected to be held in mid July 2025 at the Lyell Centre, Edinburgh.

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