Senior Energy Geologist

SENIOR ENERGY GEOLOGIST

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NORTHERN IRELAND (GSNI)

Grade: UKRI Pay Band E/S2

Salary: £51,242

Contract: 3.5-year fixed term appointment

Hours: - 37 hours a week (flexible working options and % of remote working in line with the BGS policy)

Location: Adelaide House, Belfast, Northern Ireland 

A great benefits package is offered, including an outstanding pension scheme (with an extremely generous employer contribution – on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and access to flexi-time.

Closing date: Sunday 5 January 2025

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic Senior Energy Geologist to provide science leadership on the EU PEACEPLUS Programme GEMINI geothermal project. This will involve providing technical and scientific input including geophysical surveys and interpretation, drilling, and modelling together with integrating, interpreting and reviewing existing and new exploration geoscience data.

The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) is an office of the Department for the Economy (DfE) in Northern Ireland staffed by scientists of the BGS. GSNI provides professional, technical and scientific advice, research and data management to support Northern Ireland's Central and Local Government.

Other duties and responsibilities include:

• Oversee procurement processes, contributing to technical specifications for tenders and geophysical survey design
• Map and model geothermal resource potential in Northern Ireland
• Identify and develop areas of research in geothermal
• Co-deliver, provide quality assurance, and problem solving with contractors
• Provide advice and support to non-geoscience project partners as required
• Assist in the preparation of project progress reports for lead partner and funders
• Provide scientific advice to Department for the Economy Energy Group officials, senior civil servants and the Minster as required, and other public sector organisations as required
• Irregular hours including evening, weekend and other out-of-hours working will be a component of the post at times, plus a requirement for travel

About you

We are keen to hear from you if you meet the following essential requirements. We will review essential and desirable requirements at both the shortlisting and interview stage. 

Please note – you will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during your employment.

To be assessed at Shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).

Essential 

• Post graduate qualification relevant to this post (e.g. hydrogeology, geophysics, geology, environmental sciences) (S) OR significant relevant industry or post-doctoral experience (S&I)
• Full driving licence (S)
• Project management experience and delivery of project results, including demonstrating an ability to lead teams and to participate as a team member (S&I)
• Experience in at least two of the following areas: borehole studies (e.g. petrophysics, reservoir quality); well/field hydrogeology; thermal data collection (S&I)
• Experience of seismic acquisition, interpretation or modelling (S&I)
• Experience of geological modelling with sedimentological or structural experience applicable to geothermal resources (S&I)
• Broad knowledge of the following areas: hydrogeological and heat transport; processes; geothermal energy systems; geological modelling with sedimentological or structural experience applicable to geothermal resources and environmental impacts (S&I)
• Ability to process and analyse data (S&I)
• Proficient GIS skills (S)
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal including report writing, publication of research and presentations (S&I)
• Flexibility and willingness to travel in the UK and abroad for meetings and/or fieldwork (S&I)
• Good personal organisation and time-management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities (S&I)
• You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)

Desirable 

• Experience of working with clients and partners from industry, government and academia (I)
• Experience in setting up and maintaining equipment for monitoring (e.g. water levels, temperatures, discharge) (S)
• Experience in the application of numerical models to simulate groundwater flow and/or heat transport (S&I)
• Knowledge of UK hydrogeology and geology (I)
• Skills in geothermal reservoir characterisation and modelling (S&I)
• Professional accreditation or demonstration of an interest in your own Continuing Professional Development (S)
• Experience of preparing tenders and winning bids (S)
• Experience of school’s outreach (S)

About us

The BGS is an applied geoscience research centre that belongs to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to advise government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.

We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency. 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 dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society. BGS became a signatory of the Technician Commitment in July 2022.

How to apply

Applicants are required to include a CV and covering letter outlining their suitability for the role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well-considered application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 5 January 2025. Interviews will be held on Monday 13th January 2025 in Belfast.

About The British Geological Survey (BGS)

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. 

How to Apply 

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit your CV and a covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for BGS and the role you’re applying for. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit your application without a covering letter may result in your application not being considered. You will only be assessed on the content of your CV and covering letter and not the ‘experience’ section of the application. 

About UKRI 

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). 

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. 

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to flourish and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’  

Disability Confident Employer 

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 

https://www.careersportal.co.uk/UKRI-careers/jobs/senior-energy-geologist-4806