Geospatial Research Technician

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Glasgow seeks a technical expert to provide specialized support in geospatial technologies within the School of Geographical and Earth Science. This role involves troubleshooting technical issues, offering training, and managing geospatial datasets to enhance research activities. The successful candidate will contribute to both teaching and research, ensuring the effective use of geospatial technologies across the university.

Benefits

41 days of leave for full-time staff

Pension benefits

Flexible working approach

Free 6-month UofG Sport membership

Qualifications

• Experience in GIS and/or remote sensing.
• Knowledge of geospatial technologies and software.
• Ability to provide training and support to staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot technical issues with geospatial equipment and software.
• Provide expert guidance and training on geospatial technologies.
• Manage geospatial datasets and ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Numeracy

Analytical skills

Technical skills in GIS

Programming in Python

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8

Degree in Geomatics, GIS, Environmental Science, Geography, or Computer Science

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Python

R

Job description

Job Purpose

To manage and provide comprehensive specialised technical support as part of the College of Science and Engineering’s Technical Services team within the School of Geographical and Earth Science. This post will provide advanced geospatial expertise and practical technical support primarily to research activities and act as subject matter expert in this field to support members of Earth Systems Research group, the Technical Services Team and the wider University across both teaching and research.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Be responsible for troubleshooting complex technical issues with geospatial equipment and software and diagnose and provide expert technical guidance and maintenance to resolve issues in a safe, timely and efficient manner.

2. Act as the main point of contact for providing specialist expertise, advice and training to research staff and students on the use of geospatial technologies, including the use of specific software and in the development, design and application of the technologies. Provide expert guidance to suggest, implement and evaluate improvements to standard operating protocols.

3. Responsible for creation, maintenance and archiving of geospatial datasets used in research, along with maintaining metadata to an agreed standard (e.g. ISO 19115, INSPIRE etc.).

4. Actively update knowledge of advancements in available and relevant GIS and Remote Sensing datasets, technologies, and their application to ensure contribution to research goals is optimised.

5. Communicate geospatial data and techniques with the wider University body as well as users of the University’s services and/or external consultants/suppliers, where appropriate.

6. Collate, process, analyse and visualise data used in research and knowledge-exchange activities using geospatial software. This includes using datasets from a variety of sources (qualitative and quantitative), creating novel geospatial workflows where existing methodologies are not available, ensuring that complex data processing and analyses are undertaken to an appropriate standard with suitable interpretations and visualisations. Present findings clearly to research group and/or to wider audiences via presentations or within appropriate research publications.

7. Where relevant, as a technical expert make informed decisions and advise on purchasing of capital equipment and consumables following consultation with appropriate colleagues.

8. Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements. Where relevant, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the research group and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI/service/facility manager, Safety Committee and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.

9. Support the development of colleagues and when necessary, plan, define and allocate work and responsibilities to colleagues in relation to geospatial research activities.

10. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by Head of Service/School.

11. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/Institute/School and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/School/Group activities as required, including the Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1. Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the dutiesassociated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills ina similar role. OR: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 [OrdinaryDegree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4] or equivalent, (including accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in asimilar role.

A2. Detailed knowledge of theoretical GIS & remote sensing concepts & technologies.

A3. Knowledge of application areas using GIS and/or remote sensing, particularlywithin environmental sciences, earth science, physical geography, or geomatics.

A4. Detailed knowledge of ArcGIS and/or QGIS.

A5. Detailed knowledge of appropriate image processing / remote sensing software, e.g. SentiNel Applications Platform (SNAP), Orfeo Toolbox, Google Earth Engine.

Desirable:

B1. A degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Geomatics, GIS, Environmental Science,Geography, Computer Science).

B2. Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Geomatics, GIS, EnvironmentalScience, Geography, Computing Science).

B3. Knowledge of geospatial field equipment and associated processing software.

B4. UK First Aid qualification(s).

Skills

Essential:

C1. Excellent numeracy & analytical skills and literate with windows operating systems.

C2. Strong technical skills in various GIS, remote sensing, data management and statistical analysis software (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS, Python, R).

C3. Strong programming skills in Python or similar high-level languages.

C4. Proven analytical and technical/scientific problem-solving capability.

C5. IT skills including data/file management and use of common office software.

C6. Capability to acquire additional complex technical skills in GIS and remote sensing.

C7. Initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently and/or through a support team.

C8. Excellent written communication skills, to a publishable standard including strong verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to a varied and large audience.

C9. Able to work independently and operate as part of a team.

C10. Ability to supervise various levels of students and in a classroom and field environment.

C11. Experience of and ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret the technical requirements of staff, students, and external partners.

C12. Full driving licence.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Significant experience of working in GIS and/or remote sensing.

Desirable:

F1. Experience of web-based and field GIS solutions.

F2. Significant experience of providing expert technical support.

F3. Experience in advising and training people with varying levels of competence in GIS and remote sensing.

F4. Experience working with multiple Operating Systems (e.g. Windows & Linux).

F5. Experience of database and geodatabase design and maintenance.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,482 - £37,174 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date: 12 June 2025