King's College London

About us

The Earth Observation and Wildfire Research Group is based within King’s College London’s Department of Geography.  We develop and exploit satellite data products, operate remote sensing instruments on both manned aircraft platforms and UAVs, use simulation modelling, and deploy a vast array of instrumentation both in the field and within laboratories. Our  Wildfire Testing Combustion Chamber for example allows us to study fire and calibrate and test new ways of measuring fire and fire emissions prior to field campaigns.

About the role

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, capable and dedicated new staff member to work as an environmental science instrument technician at King’s College London. We are willing to provide on-the-job training for the right candidate, who will join a dynamic interdisciplinary team of physicists, geographers, natural and environmental scientists working as part of NERC’s National Centre for Earth Observation -  www.nceo.ac.uk within King’s Department of Geography ( https://www.kcl.ac.uk/geography). The vast majority of postholders time will be spent at our dedicated instrument laboratory, outdoor test area and combustion chamber in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The postholder will support laboratory experiments there, and will also contribute to the calibration, deployment and operation of remote sensing and in-situ measurement equipment on fieldwork in the UK and overseas.

Examples of the teams environmental research can be found at https://wildfire.geog.kcl.ac.uk/, with ground and laboratory equipment examples including eddy covariance systems, instruments for measuring trace gases and airborne particulates, infrared spectrometers, thermal radiometers and imagers, a well-equipped combustion chamber and a full engineering laboratory. The post will also support field campaigns in the UK and overseas, assisting with maintenance, management and operation of instruments on the ground, in survey aircraft, and on UAVs. In addition to these tasks, with training the post-holder could ultimately become responsible for some engineering matters, including mounting frame design work, component assembly, instrument rigs, fabrication etc.

The group operates a vehicle, and as such, a full UK driving licence is essential for the post. Occasional trips to King’s College London Strand Campus, around 45 minutes from Harpenden by train, are also expected.

This is a full time post (FTE 1.0 or 37.5 hours/week), and you will be offered an a fixed term contract until 31/03/2026.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Minimum of HNC/HND level or equivalent experience in physical / environmental science or other technical subject.
2. Experience working in a laboratory, workshop or equivalent relevant environment.
3. Willingness to learn and contribute to technical tasks associated with the deployment and use of instrumentation, e.g. administrative / logistical duties.
4. Ability to work independently on certain tasks once relevant training and directions are provided.
5. Ability to work on campaigns in the UK and overseas, including on a survey research aircraft.
6. Full UK Driving License

Desirable criteria

1. Educated to degree level or with equivalent professional experience.
2. Experience in mechanical and or electrical engineering works, CAD, fabrication.
3. Understanding of scientific instrument calibration.
4. Experience and or interest in one or more of Python coding, aircraft operations, remote sensing, in situ atmospheric sampling.
5. Good working knowledge of relevant UK/EU legislation relating to health and safety.
6. Current First Aid at Work Certificate

Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description which provided on the next page.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

This role does not meet the requirements of the Home Office and therefore we are not able to offer sponsorship for candidates who require the right to work in the UK.

This role requires an occupational health clearance