Location
Central London with hybrid working options. Staff are expected to attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours. Travel expenses paid for work-related travel only.

Hours
Full Time - Flexible working arrangements available

Salary
£32,240 per annum

About the Role
Join Natural England in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. As the Government’s adviser for the natural environment and Nature regulator, Natural England provides evidence, expertise, and advice to recover nature and create better places for people to live. This role leads and supports delivery of a range of Earth Observation (EO) projects and the wider development of EO skills within the team and across the organisation. The work involves using data from drones, manned aircraft, and satellite platforms with sensors such as Aerial Photography, Multispectral, LIDAR, and RADAR to monitor dynamic coastlines, wildfire mapping, habitat mapping, and more.

The post-holder will lead EO projects, contribute to EO analysis using tools including standard EO software, R and Python scripting, and AI techniques on cloud platforms. They will maintain and develop relationships with partners and customers, support capability building through training and documentation, and provide technical advice including support for enforcement work involving data analysis and evidence production.

Natural England offers excellent career progression, training tailored to your role, and a supportive, inclusive culture. Benefits include generous leave allowance, Civil Service pension scheme with employer contribution, volunteering days, and access to various staff discounts and wellbeing initiatives.

Experience
- Significant experience applying Earth Observation techniques in environmental contexts.
- Proficient with a range of EO sensors and platforms including drone aerial photography, multispectral and thermal data, manned aircraft data, and optical/radar satellites such as Copernicus Sentinels, World View, Planet, and ALOS.
- Confident use of GIS and EO software such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, ERDAS Imagine, eCognition, and scripting in R and/or Python.
- Experience with AI techniques like Machine Learning and Deep Learning applied to EO data.
- Proven ability to plan, prioritise, and manage project delivery with competing demands.
- Knowledge of data ethics, governance, and quality assurance best practices.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.

About You
- Collaborative and able to build effective relationships to deliver outcomes.
- Problem solver with good judgement and innovative thinking.
- Proactive communicator who can present complex data and analyses clearly to diverse audiences.
- Committed to inclusion, diversity, and continuous learning.

Qualifications
- Earth Observation or Remote Sensing qualification at Masters level or equivalent experience (essential).