Job Purpose
Applications are invited for the position of Research Associate in Intelligent Geophysics for Offshore Wind at the James Watt School of Engineering.
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a major new UKRI-funded Fellowship at the intersection of artificial intelligence, scientific machine learning and subsurface engineering. The research will address fundamental challenges in the interpretation and integration of marine geophysical, geological and geotechnical data to improve subsurface characterisation and support decision-making throughout the development of offshore renewable energy projects.
The successful candidate will play a leading role in the processing, interpretation and integration of geophysical datasets. The role will involve working with large and complex offshore datasets to develop improved understanding of geological variability, uncertainty and geohazards. Experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning or advanced data analytics is advantageous but not essential. The project will provide opportunities to build expertise in these areas and collaborate with a wider interdisciplinary team of engineers, geophysicists and data scientists exploring new AI-driven approaches to intelligent subsurface characterisation.
Applications from candidates currently working in industry are encouraged. We welcome applicants seeking to bring expertise in offshore site characterisation, marine geophysics and subsurface interpretation into a research environment. Equivalent industrial experience will be considered alongside traditional academic career paths.
The postholder will join an interdisciplinary team led by Dr Róisín Buckley as part of a UKRI-funded Fellowship. The role offers opportunities to collaborate with leading academic and industrial partners, including researchers across the UK's AI ecosystem in data science and artificial intelligence. The successful candidate will have access to world-class experimental and computational facilities and will play a key role in shaping an ambitious research programme at the interface of geophysics, engineering and AI.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
- Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
- Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow/School/Research Group/area, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
- Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy to deliver project/area requirements and opportunities.
- Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research and/or impact profile.
- Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research and impact.
- Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/area/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic and industrial partners).
- Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group/area activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
- Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
- Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
- Contribute as appropriate to teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating, etc) and associated administration, as may be assigned through the School in consultation with your line manager.
- Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
- Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
- Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in geophysics, geoscience or a related discipline plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the relevant research disciplines as outlined in the Job Purpose and demonstrable expertise in the interpretation of geophysical data.
A3 Well-developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the project/discipline as outlined in the Job Purpose. Ability to manage, integrate and interpret geophysical datasets.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at a level appropriate to the activity.
C2 Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.
C3 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including some experience of research project supervision.
C4 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.
C5 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding (or equivalent business development) applications.
E2 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
Desirable:
F1 Demonstrable expertise in the interpretation, integration and geological understanding of marine geophysical data relevant to offshore site characterisation.
F2 Knowledge of emerging applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced data analytics in the geosciences.
F3 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society.
F4 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours per week), and has funding available until 30 September 2029 in the first instance.
All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK or be eligible to obtain permission to work in the UK.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant Home Office requirements, including any applicable tradeable points criteria. Further information can be found on the University of Glasgow’s UKVI Website.
For research and academic roles, we will also consider whether the Global Talent visa route may be available, subject to individual eligibility.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
- A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
- An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
- A flexible approach to working.
- A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Closing Date: 29 November 2026 at 23:45pm
