Environmental Modelling Consultant in Cambridge

ADAS, part of the RSK Group, is seeking an Environmental Modelling Consultant on a full-time permanent basis into the Modelling, Software & Geospatial Science team. The successful applicant will engage in a variety of projects related to agriculture and the environment, serving both internal and external clients. Responsibilities may include digital map production, management and analysis of spatial data, as well as the collection and processing of large datasets to produce high-quality outputs for a diverse range of services.

This is a hybrid home and office-based role located in Bristol / Wolverhampton / Boxworth, Cambridgeshire or Gleadthorpe, Nottinghamshire. The split between home and office working is flexible.

The team consists of a multi-disciplinary group of research scientists and consultants located across the UK. The post holder will work within the Modelling, Software and Geospatial Sciences (MSGS) Team but will be expected to bridge across to other relevant groups within ADAS, as well as more widely within RSK, our parent company. The core areas of work for MSGS are:

• computer modelling & tool building;
• data management & analysis;
• digital data collection & curation;
• remotely sensed data sourcing and utilisation;
• GIS analysis & cartographic services;
• software development and programming.

Examples of common project themes include greenhouse gas emission calculation; catchment management; precision farming applications; ecological connectivity; yield enhancement; resource use efficiency (e.g. nutrients and pesticides); land use and land use change; land management; integrated pest management; ecology; planning constraints and environmental policy. We work with governments and their Agencies, utility companies, universities and innovation funders to identify, develop and implement practical solutions to a wide range of environmental challenges for a wide range of end users.

The Role involves contributing to the delivery of projects and development of tools for UK Government and water companies, including the national Agricultural Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Inventory and our pollutant source attribution and mitigation models including FarmScoper. The role would suit individuals who have either an MSc or PhD in Environmental Science and have experience in modelling the impacts of agriculture and land management on air and/or water quality.

We invite applications from motivated individuals with proven expertise in data management, data analysis, modelling and geographical information systems and their application to environmental and agricultural projects. Individuals will need to have a sound understanding of the science associated with one or more of agricultural emissions, diffuse pollution, net zero and carbon foot printing. You should also understand how models and tools can be used to provide evidence and support the development of national, local and regional strategies for the management of air and water quality issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, code, run and interpret models relating to air quality, water quality and/or carbon foot printing.
• Provide modelling, data management and data analysis support to ADAS colleagues.
• Provide subject and modelling input to tenders and bids led by ADAS colleagues.
• Deliver, monitor and manage relevant aspects of the project work undertaken, initially under supervision.
• Contribute to the writing of clear reports for clients.
• Write scientific papers.
• Attend relevant conferences and deliver presentations relating to key projects.
• Proactively develop a comprehensive knowledge relating to air quality, water quality and agricultural emissions.
• Participate in meetings with government and commercial clients to gain a better understanding of client requirements and the process of business and project development.

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree in a numerate scientific discipline, ideally an environmental science.
• Presentation of outputs using contemporary methods and communicating effectively with a range of audiences to transfer knowledge.
• Knowledge of issues relating to agricultural diffuse pollution, air quality and/or agricultural carbon foot printing and emissions.
• Collation, management and analysis of data relating to environmental quality and land management using databases and statistical packages.
• Attention to detail in data management, analysis and reporting.
• Working effectively in a team with other scientists, modellers and software developers.
• Environmental modelling with a specific focus on either air quality, water quality or carbon footprinting.
• Programming in a high level computing language (e.g. C#, C).

Desirable

• Higher degree (MSc or PhD) in numerate scientific discipline, ideally environmental science.
• Knowledge about agricultural policy, land use change and/or product carbon foot printing in the UK.
• Writing or contributing to bids or tenders for commercial or government clients.
• Evidence of securing competitive funding from commercial or government clients.
• Direct interaction with clients as part of sales and project management activities, including face-to-face meetings.
• Management of projects for commercial or government clients, with responsibility for managing staff delivery, invoicing and quality assurance.
• One or more articles published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
• Programming in multiple programming (C#, C, Fortran) and statistical/scripting languages (Python, R, Matlab).
• Manipulation and analysis of spatial data using Geographical Information Systems.

Salary and Benefits

Up to £40,000 per annum depending on experience. Life assurance. A flexible benefits programme including the option to buy additional holidays, health cash plan and discounted gym membership.

RSK Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer.