Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Be responsible for troubleshooting complex technical issues with geospatial equipment and software and diagnose and provide expert technical guidance and maintenance to resolve issues in a safe, timely and efficient manner.
- Act as the main point of contact for providing specialist expertise, advice and training to research staff and students on the use of geospatial technologies, including the use of specific software and in the development, design and application of the technologies. Provide expert guidance to suggest, implement and evaluate improvements to standard operating protocols.
- Responsible for creation, maintenance and archiving of geospatial datasets used in research, along with maintaining metadata to an agreed standard (e.g. ISO 19115, INSPIRE etc.).
- Actively update knowledge of advancements in available and relevant GIS and Remote Sensing datasets, technologies, and their application to ensure contribution to research goals is optimized.
- Communicate geospatial data and techniques with the wider University body as well as users of the University’s services and/or external consultants/suppliers, where appropriate.
- Collate, process, analyze and visualize data used in research and knowledge-exchange activities using geospatial software. This includes using datasets from a variety of sources (qualitative and quantitative), creating novel geospatial workflows where existing methodologies are not available, ensuring that complex data processing and analyses are undertaken to an appropriate standard with suitable interpretations and visualizations. Present findings clearly to research group and/or to wider audiences via presentations or within appropriate research publications.
- Where relevant, as a technical expert make informed decisions and advise on purchasing of capital equipment and consumables following consultation with appropriate colleagues.
- Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements. Where relevant, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the research group and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI/service/facility manager, Safety Committee and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.
- Support the development of colleagues and when necessary, plan, define and allocate work and responsibilities to colleagues in relation to geospatial research activities.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by Head of Service/School.
- Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/Institute/School and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/School/Group activities as required, including the Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential:
- Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role. OR: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 [Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4] or equivalent, (including accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar role.
- Detailed knowledge of theoretical GIS & remote sensing concepts & technologies.
- Knowledge of application areas using GIS and/or remote sensing, particularly within environmental sciences, earth science, physical geography, or geomatics.
- Detailed knowledge of ArcGIS and/or QGIS.
- Detailed knowledge of appropriate image processing / remote sensing software, e.g. SentiNel Applications Platform (SNAP), Orfeo Toolbox, Google Earth Engine.
Desirable:
- A degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Geomatics, GIS, Environmental Science, Geography, Computer Science).
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Geomatics, GIS, Environmental Science, Geography, Computing Science).
- Knowledge of geospatial field equipment and associated processing software.
- UK First Aid qualification(s).
Skills
- Excellent numeracy & analytical skills and literate with windows operating systems.
- Strong technical skills in various GIS, remote sensing, data management and statistical analysis software (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS, Python, R).
- Strong programming skills in Python or similar high-level languages.
- Proven analytical and technical/scientific problem-solving capability.
- IT skills including data/file management and use of common office software.
- Capability to acquire additional complex technical skills in GIS and remote sensing.
- Initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently and/or through a support team.
- Excellent written communication skills, to a publishable standard including strong verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to a varied and large audience.
- Able to work independently and operate as part of a team.
- Ability to supervise various levels of students and in a classroom and field environment.
- Experience of and ability to understand, conceptualize and interpret the technical requirements of staff, students, and external partners.
- Full driving license.
Experience
Essential:
- Significant experience of working in GIS and/or remote sensing.
Desirable:
- Experience of web-based and field GIS solutions.
- Significant experience of providing expert technical support.
- Experience in advising and training people with varying levels of competence in GIS and remote sensing.
- Experience working with multiple Operating Systems (e.g. Windows & Linux).
- Experience of database and geodatabase design and maintenance.
Salary range: Grade 6, £33,482 – £37,174 per annum.
Application deadline: June 12, 2025
