Performance Senior Scientist for ESA TRUTHS Mission

NPL is the UK’s National Metrology Institute. Our role is to research, create and deliver the measurement infrastructure which underpins the UK’s prosperity and quality of life across many fields of industry.  The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking an experienced Senior Research Scientist to join our team in Teddington.

Some of the day to day duties and responsibilities of the Senior Scientist will involve:

Join our team contributing to the development of an exciting mission shaping the future of Earth observation. We are seeking a talented and motivated scientist/engineer to work on data processing and performance modelling for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) TRUTHS (Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial- and Helio-Studies) mission. Currently in the Phase B2 of its development, TRUTHS is a groundbreaking mission concept designed to establish a space-based climate and calibration observatory that delivers unprecedently accurate measurements to support climate change monitoring and enhance Earth observation data quality.

As part of this critical mission, you will be developing core data processing algorithms and radiometric performance simulation models, to ensure the mission meets its scientific and operational goals. This is your chance to contribute to a project that will help set new standards in climate science and radiometric traceability.

Typical Tasks

• Develop and implement radiometric performance simulation models of the payload, including instruments and on-board calibration system, to validate mission capabilities under various scenarios.
• Analyse the impacts of the instrument and platform design on the achievable mission uncertainty.
• Develop radiometric calibration processing algorithms towards future implementation in the mission’s payload data ground segment.
• Collaborate with international teams, including ESA and industry partners, to support the mission development.
  

Person Description

• A Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in physics, remote sensing, Earth observation, or a related field.
• Good understanding of the metrological principles of uncertainty analysis and expertise in optical EO instrumentation, radiometric calibration, and data processing.
• Strong expertise in numerical modelling, performance simulation, or system analysis.
• Familiarity with ESA missions and their scientific and technical frameworks.
• Strong mathematical and collaborative scientific programming skills in Python or similar languages and use of cloud computing resources.
• Effective communication skills and collaborative approach with other scientists. 

If you think you have what it takes to join the Teddington-based NPL team in Senior Scientist's role, please apply here today.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme. 

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.