Research Leader - Remote Sensing

The James Hutton Institute; Aberdeen City; Remote; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The James Hutton Institute is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead a team addressing critical environmental and sustainability issues. This role focuses on geospatial data science and remote sensing, offers leadership opportunities, and requires a PhD. The position provides a chance to significantly impact environmental policy and practice through research, with additional benefits like extensive annual leave and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Generous annual leave up to 40.5 days

Employer pension contribution of 15%

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• PhD required in relevant fields.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills essential.
• Proven track record in research with publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead remote sensing and geospatial initiatives.
• Manage Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme projects.
• Develop funding applications and reports for stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Research

Geospatial Data Analysis

Team Management

Presentation Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Cross-disciplinary Communication

Education

PhD in Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, or similar

Tools

Google Earth Engine

R

Python

GIS Platforms

Job description

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The James Hutton Institute

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Job Reference:

05b3415c869f

Job Views:

36

Posted:

18.06.2025

Expiry Date:

02.08.2025

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Job Description:

The integration of remote sensing, IoT, and AI analytics is revolutionizing environmental management, enabling us to monitor, understand, and respond to environmental challenges with unprecedented precision and speed.

We offer an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to head a team of talented researchers addressing pressing environmental and sustainability issues. Based within the Information and Computational Science (ICS) Department, you will lead remote sensing and geospatial data science initiatives focused on ecosystem health, soil, land use change, policy development, and climate impacts.

As a senior scientist at the James Hutton Institute, you will combine project leadership, methodological innovation, income generation, mentoring, and engagement with internal colleagues and external partners. This role provides a chance to shape the future of environmental science and impact sustainability policy and practice.

Key activities include:

Developing project proposals for significant environmental research; leading project teams; mentoring colleagues; building capacity and new science directions; reporting to stakeholders including land managers, policy developers, regulatory bodies, and industry partners.

Initial focus will be on Scottish Government-funded projects related to soils, land use change, and climate impact mapping. The postholder is expected to generate research income and contribute to departmental strategy development.

Main Duties of Postholder

• Working on Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme projects
• Managing other funded projects
• Developing funding applications
• Knowledge Exchange
• Leading research groups and coordinating departmental activities; overseeing equipment and software management
• Line management of colleagues in soils, environmental science, GIS, remote sensing, and data science; supporting their training and development
• Promoting values and behaviors that uphold professional standards and support an open, supportive culture

Person Specification

Education/Experience/Skills

• PhD in remote sensing, geoinformatics, computational geography, or similar
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proven research track record with national/international collaborations and publications
• Experience managing complex spatial workflows and projects
• Advanced knowledge of geospatial data analysis and visualization; proficiency with Google Earth Engine, R, Python, GIS platforms
• Successful research funding acquisition record
• Ability to operate in a dynamic research environment
• Knowledge of spatial data manipulation and visualization
• Excellent presentation skills for technical and non-technical audiences
• Familiarity with GIS and related software
• Experience managing diverse teams and interdisciplinary projects
• Track record in publishing research papers and reports
• Flexible, adaptable working style
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Experience in soil science, land use, climate change, and policy communication
• Effective cross-disciplinary communication skills
• Leadership skills adaptable to various project areas

What We Offer

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing confidential support services.

Generous annual leave entitlement up to 40.5 days, with Christmas break and carry-over options.

Employer pension contribution of 15% with flexible employee contributions.

Flexible working hours to support work-life balance.