Lead Field Technician Salary - £37,405 – £39,694. Permanent and Full Time (37 hours per week) Preferred Location: Wallingford, some hybrid working will be possible with this role. Alternative locations considered: Lancaster/Edinburgh offices. For the first 1-2 years working location will be at the Wallingford head office. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early. UKCEH is looking for an experienced Lead Field Technician to join our 600-strong team, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges. Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years. As a valued member of our team, you’ll get: 27 days annual leave, rising to 29 days after five years 10% employer pension contribution Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to qualifying requirements) 24 hour, 365-day access to support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues plus access to our trained Welfare Officers Flexible working opportunities And much more Are you technically curious, enjoy tackling challenges, and like the sound of introducing new and innovative engineering solutions to support our environmental science? We are recruiting for a Lead Field Technician to join our dynamic and multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers, and play a vital part in supporting a flagship soil moisture monitoring project ( http://cosmos.ceh.ac.uk/ ). You will play an integral role in providing the technical expertise to keep a research grade network of automated environmental monitoring stations operational. This network generates valuable hydrometeorological data used across a range of environmental applications including climate modelling, water resources, flood forecasting and land-surface interactions. As a technical specialist your role will support the provision of high-quality environmental data to the scientific community. This will involve trouble shooting technical issues in established systems as well as the design, configuration, installation, and maintenance of sensors. Additionally, you will mentor junior engineers, supporting their training and development. This presents an exciting opportunity for individuals showcasing a strong grasp of environmental monitoring sensor systems to contribute to the development and deployment of cutting-edge sensors and instrumentation across diverse field locations nationwide. It's also an ideal opportunity for those with leadership experience, poised to take the next step in their career. Your main responsibilities will include: Co-lead responsive and planned maintenance visits for automated field instrument systems (data loggers, sensors, telemetry, and data collection server) Construct, wire, program, test and deploy new systems Become the subject matter expert in the chosen instrumentation Training and mentoring technicians within the team Work collaboratively with lead scientists, to develop new environmental monitoring sensor systems Visit nationwide field sites for new system installations and training, fault resolution and decommissioning (averaging at around 20 field site days per annum, some requiring overnight stays, lone working and team visits) Procurement - of parts and ready-made systems Improve data capture and data quality performance, reducing operational costs and minimising data gaps Keep up with available/emerging innovative technologies and best practice for sensor networks Maintain and write thorough documentation of working procedures, calibrations, inventory etc. This is a highly collaborative role and would suit someone who enjoys a variable workload and excels independently, resourceful in their approach and are passionate about innovation and problem-solving to investigate and resolve module-level faults. You'll work closely with a team of experts across diverse fields including scientists, field and workshop technicians, and aid in the guidance of junior field technicians, alongside our Procurement team and suppliers. As such this role necessitates adaptability and an openness to embracing varying work styles, approaching challenges with patience and an understanding of differing priorities and focuses. You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Check out some of the projects our Lead Field Technicians have been involved with: FDRI - https://fdri.org.uk/ AMBER - www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/amber-automated-biodiversity-monitoring For the role of Lead Field Technician, we’re looking for somebody who has: A technical qualification at BTEC level or degree (or equivalent work experience) A broad understanding of field data logger hardware (or similar data acquisition hardware), hydrological or other environmental field sensors, and their maintenance requirements The ability to work with technical drawings, schematics and wiring routing diagrams of a sensor station, network or mesh network Experience of programming data loggers, interfacing sensors and telemetry networks - including various methods and comms protocols e.g., IoT connectivity, 4G/5G, Satellite, WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, MQTT An understanding of systems approach to technical troubleshooting An appreciation for the importance of accurate data management and version control Experience delivering fieldwork activities safely in remote outdoor environments year-round, with experience of Safe Systems of Work in the field/Lone Working Safety Comfort with occasional work at heights Knowledge and experience of workshop and lab safety practices in the UK A full driving licence is essential, as well as a willingness to be occasionally away from home overnight to visit field sites across the UK (some overseas travel may be required) Desirable Skills: Previous experience working within an environmental, academic, scientific or research environment Programming in R/C/C++/Visual Basic/Python/CR Basic IP and serial bus networked sensors and basic computer/sensor networking configuration Configuring and deploying telemetry systems (GPRS/mobile and satellite) Sensor network experience Knowledge of quality management systems (i.e., ISO9001) We'll provide the workshop, tools, PPE, vehicles, and continuous training, and in exchange, we're seeking your enthusiasm, inquisitiveness, and collaborative spirit. If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Apply now. Please send us your CV, accompanied by a covering letter which highlights any relevant skills and experience, together with what excites you most about the role and working for UKCEH. We welcome applications from international candidates. Please note that visa sponsorship may be required and is subject to eligibility criteria and government regulations.