Job Description

We are seeking a Scientific programmer and database manager to work as part of a dynamic team studying land-atmosphere interactions in the past, present and future.



The post-holder will be employed as Scientific Programmer and Data Manager within the SPECIAL research group at the University of Reading and as part of the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society. The post involves providing programming and database support for a small research team, including the management of data and model resources and implementation of appropriate quality control procedures. The post-holder will assist in obtaining data from external sources, the design and creation of databases, developing and running codes for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, running complex model simulations, and analyses of palaeodata and model simulations, and will have the opportunity to participate in the scientific dissemination and publication activities of the research team.

The ideal candidate will have:
- Academic qualifications in Quaternary science, geography, ecology, environmental physics or a related subject at least to MSc/MA level;
- High-level of programming skills, including extensive experience with R, Fortran, or Python;
- Hands-on experience of designing and using relational databases (MySQL; ACCESS);
- Analytical skills, including experience in statistical analyses and mapping;
- An interest in climate change, terrestrial palaeoenvironments, and fire;
- Previous experience of working in a research environment;
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate with non-specialists;
- Good organisation skills and self-motivation coupled with the ability to work as part of a team

Closing date - 12/10/2023

Interview date: TBC

Informal contact details

Alternative informal contact details

Contact role:

Supervisor

Contact role:

Adriana Ford

Contact name:

Sandy P. Harrison

Contact name:

Project manager, Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society

Contact phone:

+44 (0)118 378 5258

Contact phone:

N/A

Contact email:

s.p.harrison@reading.ac.uk

Contact email:

a.ford@imperial.ac.uk

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS. There is further information about this on the .

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and Champion LGBT+ rights organisation. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

University of Reading