At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the CarbonARA project to research GHG emissions in the Brazilian Amazon using remote sensing.
- Company: King’s College London, a leader in Earth Observation and Climate Research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development days, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for international travel and fieldwork.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate change while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: PhD or submitted thesis in relevant field; coding and environmental research experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The postholder will work on the Carbon Amazon Rainforest Activity (CarbonARA) project, researching processes and signatures of the Brazilian Amazon related to GHG emissions and take-up. The project is funded by the European Space Agency and led by the Earth Observation and Wildfire Research Group at King’s College London, part of the NERC National Centre for Earth Observation. The Group comprises a mix of research and technical staff with backgrounds in Physics, Computer Science, Physical Geography, Engineering and other scientific and technical subjects.
About the role: We wish to recruit a project scientist at King’s who will strengthen the existing CarbonARA team working on this international, multi-year remote sensing and in situ measurement and research effort funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI). The aim of CarbonARA is to collect and analyse new data to improve understanding of greenhouse gas emissions and take-up and related environmental processes across a vitally important region of the Amazon. Research is happening across CarbonARA’s focus areas: Vegetation Processes and Carbon Storage; Landscape Fire Magnitude, Emissions and Impact.
The postholder will focus their effort on one or more of these focus areas, depending on skills and experience, but will have opportunities to contribute across all. Data collection has started in 2025 with a field and airborne remote sensing/in situ measurement campaign and will continue for the next few years. The postholder will assist with future data collection, analysis and interpretation – and in the use of the already collected datasets - ultimately delivering scientific outputs in the form of project report contributions, presentations and peer‑reviewed publications in the CarbonARA focus areas. They will report to the CarbonARA PI, Professor Martin Wooster, and will collaborate closely across the project with the UK team and with overseas partners in Europe and Brazil. A willingness to travel to Brazil on fieldwork and for other project activities is essential to the role. This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until July 2028 with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance. We wish to appoint a candidate who can start as soon as possible, and no later than September 2026.
Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro‑rata) for professional development. This entitlement applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7.
About you: To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- PhD qualified in relevant subject area or have submitted their PhD thesis by the time the post is taken‑up (appointed on G5 grade until thesis award).
- Experienced in coding for environmental research and in collection and/or use of one or more CarbonARA data types.
- Research experience in a field highly relevant to one or more of the CarbonARA focus areas, ideally bringing new skills and experience to the project team at King’s.
- Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing – delivering high quality progress reports and peer‑reviewed publications.
- Ability to problem‑solve, manage and combine large datasets to address scientific questions.
- Pro‑active nature, demonstrating drive and enthusiasm to deliver high quality work and outputs, with ability to progress on tasks alone as necessary but ultimately as part of a collaborative team.
- Willingness to travel and contribute to CarbonARA field work in Brazil, and preparatory activities in the UK where needed, including airborne research activities as necessary.
- Understanding of thermal and optical remote sensing of vegetation and use of this technique to deliver scientific returns.
- Experience in overseas fieldwork, and in working with technical equipment and technical staff.
- Skills/experience in tropical forest or carbon/GHG flux science.
- Experience in airborne remote sensing data analysis.
- Ability to speak Portuguese would be desirable but not necessary.
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.
As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. 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 person specification section of the job description.
CarbonARA Research Scientist (Remote Sensing) employer: King’s College London
At King’s College London, we are dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that empowers our research staff to thrive. As part of the CarbonARA project, you will engage in groundbreaking research on the Brazilian Amazon while benefiting from professional development opportunities, a supportive team culture, and the chance to contribute to impactful scientific outputs. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every employee feels valued and connected within our vibrant academic community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CarbonARA Research Scientist (Remote Sensing)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the Earth Observation and Wildfire Research Group or similar fields. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got experience with remote sensing or GHG emissions, bring it up in conversations. Share your insights and how they relate to the CarbonARA project.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see an opportunity to contribute to the project, don’t hesitate to express your interest. Whether it's fieldwork in Brazil or data analysis, let them know you're eager to dive in.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at King’s.
We think you need these skills to ace CarbonARA Research Scientist (Remote Sensing)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the CarbonARA role. Highlight your relevant experience in remote sensing, GHG emissions, and any coding skills you have. We want to see how your background fits with our project!
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Clearly outline how you meet the essential criteria from the job description. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate your skills and enthusiasm for the role.
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since clear communication is key for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Write clearly and concisely, and don’t forget to proofread for any typos or errors. We appreciate attention to detail!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at King’s College London
✨Know Your CarbonARA Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the CarbonARA project and its focus areas. Familiarise yourself with the latest research on GHG emissions and carbon storage in the Amazon. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you answer questions confidently.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your coding experience and how it relates to environmental research. Prepare examples of how you've managed large datasets or conducted analyses in previous roles. Highlight any specific tools or techniques you've used that are relevant to the position.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since the role involves delivering reports and publications, being able to communicate complex ideas simply is key. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your delivery.
✨Embrace Collaboration
The CarbonARA team values collaboration, so be prepared to discuss your experiences working in teams. Share examples of how you've contributed to group projects and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment. This will demonstrate your pro-active nature and enthusiasm for teamwork.
