Research Assistant: Scanning Together Project at UCL

National Technician Development Centre; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 Days holiday

Cycle to work scheme

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Enhanced leave pay

Staff Support Service

Discounted medical insurance

Job summary

University College London (UCL) Geography is seeking a Research Assistant for the Scanning Together project. The role involves running the processing chain from raw scans to published data, including pre-processing with HDMapping SLAM and applying algorithms to extract tree-level measurements and semantic segmentation of forests in 3D.

The appointment is fixed-term with funding until 31 March 2027, starting 1 October 2026, with hybrid working and London-based duties.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in remote sensing, geomatics forestry, environmental science, computer science or a closely related discipline.
• Practical experience of working with 3D point-cloud data from laser scanning or photogrammetry, including inspection, filtering and quality assessment.
• Working knowledge of forest structure measurement and basic forest inventory concepts, such as diameter at breast height, tree height, crown dimensions and plot- based sampling.

Responsibilities

• Pre-process incoming data using the open-source HDMapping SLAM software.
• Apply and compare processing algorithms to extract individual tree parameters and to perform semantic and instance segmentation of the point clouds.
• Publish processed data through the 3Dtree.earth platform or as interactive Potree viewers for partners and the wider community.

Skills

Remote sensing

3D point-cloud data

Photogrammetry

Education

Master’s degree in a related field

Tools

HDMapping SLAM

Potree

Job description

Research Assistant: Scanning Together Project at UCL

Ref Number

B03-03261

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

UCL SLASH (B03)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

See advert text

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

23-Sept-2026

About us

University College London (UCL) is one of the world's top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos – that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society – continues today. The UCL Department of Geography is a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research, renowned for its innovative and interdisciplinary research to understanding complex global challenges. It brings together expertise in physical and human geography to explore critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and social justice. The department fosters an interdisciplinary approach, equipping students and researchers with the skills to critically engage with the complex interactions between people, places, and environments.

About the role

We are seeking a research assistant who will join the team and will work on the Scanning Together project led by Dr Martin Mokroš at UCL Geography, funded by the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO). We will be collaborating with a sister project, Scanning4Africa, led by Prof. Maria Santos at the University of Zurich. Scanning Together puts prototypes of low-cost mobile laser scanners into the hands of local teams across Africa, trains them to use the instruments, and builds the shared data and processing capacity that lets those teams measure their own forests in 3D. With the main goal to set new era of monitoring that is led by local foresters and farmers. The main purpose of the role is to run the processing chain from raw scans to published data. The post holder will pre-process incoming data using the open-source HDMapping SLAM software, then apply and compare processing algorithms to extract individual tree parameters and to perform semantic and instance segmentation of the point clouds. Processed data and derived products will be published using the 3Dtree.earth platform or as interactive Potree viewers so that partners, collaborators and the wider community can explore them directly. The full job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. This is a full time, fixed term post with funding available until 31st March 2027. The appointment is available from 1st October 2026. Funding is available at Grade 6B, spine point 25-28 (including London Allowance). Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Martin Mokroš ([e-mail]) If you have any queries regarding the application process, or if you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the department’s research administration team: [e-mail]

About you

The successful candidate should have :

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in remote sensing, geomatics forestry, environmental science, computer science or a closely related discipline.
• Practical experience of working with 3D point-cloud data from laser scanning or photogrammetry, including inspection, filtering and quality assessment.
• Working knowledge of forest structure measurement and basic forest inventory concepts, such as diameter at breast height, tree height, crown dimensions and plot- based sampling. Please see the full job description and person specification at the bottom of this page full more information. This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum time in site to be determined between successful candidate and line manager. We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible . This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Department is committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion and we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and networks for BME, LGBTQ, and disabled/neurodiverse staff and students. The Department recognises the importance of family-friendly working, and we try, as far as possible, to organise meetings and events with staff responsibilities as parents and carers in mind. In 2022, the Department was awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our advancement of gender equality: representation, progression, and success. Above all the Department aims to be a supportive environment for both its staff and students. More information can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/social-historical- sciences/geography/about/equality-diversity-and-inclusion