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.
The Climate and Earth Observation (CEO) group at NPL is a world leader in the theory, methods, and practice of metrological (measurement science) traceability of Earth Observation (EO) instrumentation and their data products. CEO projects cover the metrology and quality assurance of satellite data products – from the pre-flight calibration and onboard processing to the higher-level data products providing essential climate variables and other societal datasets. We also develop in-situ fiducial reference measurement (FRM) techniques for calibration and validation of satellite data products. We collaborate strongly with other teams within NPL, especially the Data Science team, and externally with a wide range of collaborators.
Our research programme in active satellite sensors (radar altimeters and related technologies) is growing rapidly, with recently won projects looking at the uncertainty assessment and characterisation metrics for radar altimetry (including both the altimeter and the microwave radiometer) on Copernicus Sentinel 6, Sentinel 3, and CRISTAL missions, along with the development of suitable FRMs, for oceans, inland water, sea ice and land ice surfaces. We have also recently started projects that consider how observational uncertainties can be used in Earth systems modelling. We are looking to expand our efforts with such active sensors, and to develop new capability relating to SAR-mode processing (fully focused and interferometric) of radar altimeters. Additionally, we are keen to explore the metrological aspects of SAR itself, especially where SAR observations are complementary to our active research projects on vegetation and Nature Based Solutions.
Some of the day to day duties and responsibilities of the Senior Scientist will involve:
●Leading cutting-edge research, recognising aspects that could be commercially viable
●Representing NPL to promote our work and raise our profile
●Crafting winning bids, in line with NPL’s growth strategy
●Working inclusively and collaboratively to develop partnership opportunities