MATERIAL FLOW RESEARCH ANALYST
UKRI – NERC – BGS
The role will be based at the BGS Headquarters in Keyworth, Nottingham
Appointment will be at UKRI Pay Band D - £31,391 per annum to £34,709 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Full-time – 37 hours a week (a range of flexible working options may be available including hybrid working, which BGS is currently trialling)
3 year fixed term appointment
About us
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey that provides a core science mission to inform government of science related to the subsurface and its interfaces and also undertakes applied research for solutions to earth and environmental processes, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI as well as through research grants and via private sector contracts.
BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has two main sites, a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham and the Lyell Centre, which is a joint collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more than 150 private sector organisations as well as having close links with 40 universities and sponsors approximately 100 PhD students each year.
About the role
Met4Tech will explore how to create a circular economy for the technology metals, such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements and others essential in decarbonisation and digital technologies. BGS will be leading the development of a national virtual observatory on technology metals, and as part of this project we will develop stocks and flows models for a range of technology metals.
We are seeking a suitably experienced material flow analysis researcher to supplement the existing research team. Duties include:
- Develop material flow analysis models for a range of technology metals to deliver the UKRI-funded Met4Tech project
- Contribute towards the development of a National Virtual Observatory (NVP) on technology metals
- Collate, process and analyse a range of physical, environmental, economic and social data associated with technology metals to enable a holistic view of the resource/ environmental/ socio-economic opportunities and challenges for the UK, and opportunities for interventions through circular economy strategies
- Stakeholder engagement to generate new data and information essential for the modelling work
- Support the BGS PI in various activities, including the design of the NVP, the data collation and interpretation, stakeholder engagement and some management tasks
- Contribute to scientific reports and peer-reviewed journals papers
- Presentation of the work to project partners, stakeholders in government and industry, and at conferences
- Travel may be required for stakeholder engagement, project events and international conferences
About you
You will be educated to 2:1 in a relevant degree, and have either an MSc with sufficient relevant post qualification experience or a PhD in a related discipline.
Previous experience in working with technology metals is highly desirable. The work will be mostly UK-based but there will likely be opportunities to travel for research purposes (e.g. stakeholder engagement, conference attendance). You will work as part of the Met4Tech project team and provide the expertise required to develop material flow analysis (MFA) models for mapping technology metals stocks and flows within the UK.
As part of a larger community of researchers and geoscientists in BGS and project partner organisations, you will be expected to share your knowledge and contribute to the development of new research ideas and projects. In addition, you must possess excellent communication skills, both oral and written. The post involves team working, therefore you must be able to work effectively with others and have good time management skills.
Please also refer to the specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post.
What we offer
A generous benefits package is also offered, including a very competitive pension scheme, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, free parking and access to flexi-time.
We also offer the ‘Bike to Work’ scheme, free parking, health and wellbeing support, social clubs and on-site sports facilities.
Please note that any internal BGS staff applying for this post would, if successful, be appointed on a secondment basis and would also move to UKRI terms and conditions.
How to apply
Applicants are required to include a cover letter outlining their suitability for this role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process. A well thought through application addressing the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
Applications are being handled by UK Shared Business Services, to apply please click the apply button. Applicants who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on +44 (0)1793 867000.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 30 September 2021. Interviews are expected to be held October 2021.
BGS provides a range of flexible working options including flexible working patterns, compressed hours and home working so if you have a need for flexibility, please raise this in the recruitment process when your needs, balanced with the requirements of the role, will be fully considered.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity across our organisation as well as across all areas of our science community. As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our commitment to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society.
We will actively seek to avoid discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), sex or sexual orientation, being trans or a member of the non-binary community, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave or religion.
The British Geological Survey has achieved Bronze status for Athena SWAN – a scheme that recognises an organisation’s commitment and progress in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.