Research Associates Field Instrument Engineer

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

IRC102413Based in Wallingford£19,740 -£23,390

We are offering a comprehensive 3-year Research Associate traineeship within the Land Surface Flux Measurement Group.

You will undergo an extensive training programme in the design, construction, installation and maintenance of field instrumentation and integrated data logging systems (using Campbell Scientific data loggers). The systems will use off-grid renewable (solar and wind) power supplies and record a wide variety of environmental sensors. These systems will be deployed for diverse science projects, and you will become familiar with the science applications. You will be required, after appropriate training to construct these systems yourself, including light fabrication (fitting connectors to enclosures) wiring of systems and full system testing in the laboratory. You will also receive training in the proprietary data logger language (CRBasic) in order to program the real time measurement system. All stations will include telemetry for remote data collection, usually using GPRS over cellular mobile phone networks, for which training will be given.

You will be responsible, after suitable training, for maximising data capture and data quality; this will require the application of PC based computer programming skills in data handling, data basing and data quality control (training in the R Statistical language will be given). The result will be high quality fully traceable datasets made available to the science community (within CEH and beyond) directly from our database servers (usually via a web service such as CEH FluxMet). You will investigate sensor performance and analyse data to contribute to scientific outputs. Other duties will include the calibration of sensors, routine preventative maintenance of field systems, responsive field visits to rectify faults, and some manual field survey measurements.

As a result you will develop competency in all aspects of these activities. You will have the opportunity to engage with scientists to translate their scientific requirements into state-of-the-art field observational systems, which are largely autonomous and designed for minimal maintenance. You will support the full range of CEH science with typical applications in river flow gauging, sediment monitoring, automatic water and gas sampling, weather stations, and greenhouse gas flux measurements using eddy covariance and advanced soil moisture monitoring systems.

Skills and qualifications required on appointment

• You will have at least a 2.1 Degree in a numerate science discipline. Physics or Engineering are preferred.
• You will have a keen interest in taking a hands-on approach with environmental field instrumentation
• You should have a basic understanding of electronics with evidence of simple circuit construction
• You will be able to demonstrate skills in producing technical drawings, equipment and sourcing items relevant to technology projects
• You will have effective IT skills and a strong interest in computing both on PCs and other (embedded) systems
• You will be able to work independently and manage your own time effectively
• You will have the ability to work outdoors often alone at remote field sites, with possibly some work at height
• You will possess good communication and teamwork skills

Applications are handled by UKSBS Ltd; for further information about this role, including a brief job description and skill specification, please visit our recruitment website by clicking the APPLY button below.

If you are unable to apply online please contact us on 01793 867003 quoting reference IRC102413.

For further information about CEH, please view www.ceh.ac.uk

Closing date: 2 August 2013