At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the UK's seismic monitoring network with hands-on engineering and fieldwork.
- Company: Join a leading geoscience organisation at BGS Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, 30 days leave, and more!
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and teamwork in challenging environments.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in earthquake monitoring while exploring the UK.
- Qualifications: Degree or diploma in engineering/science and a full UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 33838 - 33838 £ per year.
- Description
- BGS Seismic Network Engineer
- Grade: UKRI Pay Band C/S1
Salary: £33,838 per annum
Hours: Full time – 37 hours a week (the role attracts a large amount of fieldwork and therefore part time hours are not supported.)
Location: BGS Edinburgh, Heriot Watt University Campus
Closing date: Monday 31st August 2026
Interviews: Thursday 17th September 2026
A great benefits package is offered ! including an outstanding pension scheme (with a generous employer contribution – on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays!
About the role
A vacancy has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Seismic Network Engineer.
Providing on-site field engineering support to the BGS’s seismic monitoring network.
You will be required to monitor the quality and performance of the real-time seismic monitoring system in co-operation with data analysis staff and react to system failures accordingly.
The construction and installation of permanent and temporary seismic stations will also be a significant component of the work.
Key responsibilities
The role will require you to work with;
- Geophysical sensors for measuring ground velocity and ground acceleration, together with associated digitisers and data loggers.
- Fibre optic cable, including making fibre optic splices.
- Ethernet and serial (rs232/rs422) line drivers.
- 4G, satellite and ADSL data links, including the configuration of their associated routers/modems (mainly manufactured by Cisco and Teltonika).
- Off-grid solar/battery power systems.
- Low voltage DC power systems.
- TCP/IP network hardware, its configuration and firewalling.
- And
- Provide on-site field engineering support to the BGS’s earthquake monitoring network predominantly in the UK, involving up to 70 days per year away from home.
- Travel throughout the UK in all seasons, including driving to remote locations, off-road driving and undertaking physically demanding work in potentially challenging conditions
- Monitor the quality and performance of received data in co-operation with data analysis staff and react to system failures and drops in performance.
- Carry out the installation and removal of the BGS’s seismic monitoring network stations as required, including the construction of seismic vaults and other on-site structures for housing equipment.
- Oversee contractors particularly in relation to telecoms services and civils work (having cable laid, small building construction, mains electrical provision, concreting and excavation work).
- Liaise with equipment manufacturers and communications service providers to ensure the timely resolution of equipment faults.
- Oversee and contribute to the maintenance of the seismology asset tracking and records systems to ensure that the status of all the Earthquake Seismology equipment and seismic sites are accurately recorded and up to date.
- Comply with and contribute to health and safety procedures relating to fieldwork, remote working, workshop and laboratory activities.
- Ensure that sufficient levels of equipment and consumables are maintained to ensure the efficient operation of the section.
- Maintain and author internal documentation for the use and construction of equipment used in the earthquake monitoring network.
Where appropriate this must be accessible to a non-technical audience.
- Problem-solve technical issues as they arise
- Work with the general-public during the process of obtaining permission from landowners to install or maintain seismic sites.
- Testing of geophysical and other electronic equipment to verify function before deployment.
About you
Candidates should have an understanding of engineering systems in an area such as electronics, communications, IT or ideally a combination of these.
A Degree/Diploma in a science/engineering discipline or equivalent work experience is expected.
You must be able to work well on your own initiative, and as part of a team.
A demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise your work in an environment relevant to the role is essential.
Please note – For this role some of our work involves accessing nuclear facilities.
You will be required to undergo periodic security screening/vetting and drug testing.
UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during your employment.
The following essential skills criteria for this post will be assessed at shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).
Essential
- An understanding of engineering systems in an area such as electronics, communications, IT or similar.
Ideally, this should be in areas relevant to the key responsibilities of the role and include experience in those areas (S&I).
- Hold a full driving licence valid in the UK, ideally with off road driving experience (S&I).
- Degree/Diploma in a relevant science/engineering discipline or equivalent work experience. Ideally this should be relevant to the key responsibilities (S&I).
- Good communication skills and able to communicate engineering problems and concepts to both specialists and non-specialists (S&I)
- Able to drive yourself across the UK (including at short notice and willing to work in remote outdoor locations in less than ideal conditions which at times can be physically demanding (S&I).
- Able to work well on own initiative as well as in a team (S&I).
- Ability to plan and prioritise your work in an environment relevant to the role (S&I).
- Willingness to comply and develop relevant health and safety procedures.
Ideally, to include experience of Health and Safety environments similar to those detailed in the key responsibilities (S&I).
- Knowledge of instrument testing procedures (ideally in areas detailed in the key responsibilities, and to ideally to include experience) (S&I).
- Ability to problem solve technical issues (ideally with experience detailed in the key responsibilities). (S&I).
- You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I).
A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact
Recruitment@ukri. org .
Seismic Network Engineer in Edinburgh employer: UKRI
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee development, the LMB provides comprehensive training opportunities and encourages continuous learning, making it an ideal place for HR professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the scientific community. Located in the vibrant Cambridge Biomedical Campus, employees benefit from a supportive culture that values innovation and teamwork, ensuring a rewarding career path in Human Resources.
