Material Systems Research Analyst

Salary: D/S2 salary is £41,344 to £45,479 (depending on skills and experience)

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.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time – 37 hours a week (some flexible working options may be available, including a small amount of remote working, but this role does require regular onsite attendance)

Location: BGS headquarters in Keyworth in Nottingham

Closing date: Monday 13 January 2025

About the role

We are undertaking important research exploring how to build a circular economy for mineral raw materials, including technology metals crucial to the UK economy. We lead the development of a UK technology metals observatory (https://techmetalsobservatory.org), and as part of this, we develop stocks and flows models for a range of technology metals. Our focus on sustainable development in the minerals sector requires growing this work to cover a range of mineral raw materials. We are seeking a suitably experienced material systems researcher to supplement the existing research team. The key duties/responsibilities of the role will include:

• Assist with the development of system dynamics models and towards the future development of the technology metals observatory.
• Collate, process and analyse a range of physical, environmental, economic and social data associated with mineral raw materials to enable a comprehensive view of the resource/environmental/socio-economic opportunities and challenges for the UK, and opportunities for interventions through circular economy and sustainability strategies.
• Collaborator engagement to generate new data and information essential for the modelling work, and to assist with scientific reports and peer-reviewed journal papers.
• Presentation of the work to key project partners and collaborators in government and industry, and at UK and international conferences.

About you

Do you have either an MSc with sufficient relevant post-qualification experience, or a PhD in a related field (for example geology, industrial ecology, sustainable resource management)? Previous experience in working with mineral raw material and technology metals is highly desirable.

You will provide the expertise required to develop material flow analysis (MFA) models for mapping the stocks and flows of mineral raw material value chains within the UK. The work will be mostly UK-based but there will likely be opportunities to travel for research purposes (e.g., partner engagement, conference attendance).

As part of a larger community of researchers and geoscientists in BGS and project partner organisations, you will be expected to share your knowledge and help with the development of new research ideas and projects. In addition, you will possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

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.

The additional specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post will be assessed at Shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).

• Educated to 2:1 in a relevant degree (e.g., in geology, industrial ecology, sustainability or life cycle analysis) and have either an MSc with sufficient relevant post-qualification experience or a PhD in a subject relevant to the post (S)
• Completion of material flow analysis (MFA) modules as part of undergraduate or postgraduate degree PLUS applied knowledge of MFA arising from use in project/thesis work (S)
• Experience in developing stocks and flows models (including material flow analysis, input-output analysis) as well as experience in collating, processing, analysing data on materials flows and modifying models accordingly (S&I)
• A record of accomplishment of scientific writing and publication in peer-review journals and technical reports (S&I)
• Knowledge of the concept of the circular economy (CE) and knowledge in system dynamic modelling (S&I)
• Knowledge in using design and visualisation tools e.g., Sankey diagrams (I)
• Ability to work within a variety of teams, with an interest to engage with specialists from other areas (S&I)
• You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)
• Experience in working with technology metals and experience in life cycle assessment (S&I)
• Experience in conducting collaborator engagement and structured interviews for collating new data (I)
• Knowledge of python programming and in using software packages for system dynamic modelling (I)

About us

The British Geological Survey (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 thought through 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.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 13 January 2025. Interviews are expected to be held in late January 2025 in Nottingham.