Data Scientist
HiDef Aerial Surveying Limited (HiDef) is known for its market leading innovative digital aerial surveys which have been deployed in ten countries. We are expanding across all of our services, combining technical and scientific excellence, and it is crucial to the company that we continue to lead in the innovation of new products, based upon credible science, and deliver all of our services in a consistent and efficient manner.
We work on a range of projects from our digital aerial surveys, ornithological and marine mammal statistical analysis, and research and development projects in fields such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, often with our sister company BioConsult SH in Germany, Biotope in France, other partners, and domain experts.
Our Vision: to provide trusted, high-quality environmental data, analysis, and consultancy to support decision-making for the renewables industry and conservation.
Our Mission: to be a leading marine environmental consultancy for the global offshore renewables industry.
Our Values: our shared values – Innovative, Supportive, and Honest, sit at the heart of our company culture and impact everything we do.
Quality lies at the heart of HiDef’s services, and following a growth of business, the company is looking to recruit a Data Scientist to join our busy Consultancy Science team. This position within the company offers significant opportunities for the right person who will be enthusiastic, methodical, diligent, and an excellent team player with effective communication skills and a willingness to learn.
The Role:
The role includes but is not limited to:
1. Act as Technical Lead on multiple projects for a range of clients, predominantly associated with the offshore renewables industry, ensuring deliverables are accurate and deadlines are met;
2. Perform data analysis (primarily in R) to run and update existing code and develop new code as appropriate;
3. Code workflows to automate and streamline internal file processes;
4. Develop technical skills within the team, focusing on the use of Python for object detection and identification (via YOLO, faster R-CNN, etc.);
5. Write technical reports and articles, including graphs, maps, and drawings;
6. Prepare and present environmental data reports for clients, government agencies, and within companies, often to non-technical audiences;
7. Identify symposia to promote the company’s work and services and gain information on technique advances and wider knowledge development;
8. Engage in research and development of new data analysis techniques and other potential methods for interpreting data and presenting information;
9. Assist with or lead in the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
10. Ensure appropriate interaction within the Company to maintain HiDef’s position at the forefront of the ecological statistical industry, applying the most appropriate and cost-effective methods and approaches;
11. Develop and maintain professional links between HiDef and sister companies BioConsult SH and Biotope;
12. Any other responsibilities as the Company may reasonably see fit.
Location: this position will be based at the Head Office in Lillyhall, Cumbria, or in the Edinburgh office with the option of hybrid working as appropriate.
The successful candidate will need:
Qualifications
• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject (e.g., quantitative ecology / statistics / data science) or demonstrable experience working in a similar / relevant role;
Skills & Knowledge
• Advanced coding skills to develop ecologically based statistical models in the R programming language for a variety of real-world problems;
• Experience working in Python, particularly in the field of object detection and recognition is highly desirable (skills in other languages are also desirable (Matlab, SQL, etc.));
• Excellent communicator, with the ability to explain complex coding and statistical work to a range of audiences (scientists, stakeholders, public);
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload to ensure key deliverables are met;
• Ability to organise and co-ordinate areas of work for yourself and others;
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and with a variety of stakeholders;
• Ability to work effectively as a team member and independently, working under minimal supervision and managing time efficiently;
• Effective organisational skills;
• Computer skills, including MS Office applications;
• Highly motivated.
Experience
• Highly competent coding skills in the R programming language;
• Additional Python coding knowledge is highly desirable;
• Experience working with real-world ecological datasets, statistical analysis, and data visualisation techniques;
• Experience of applying statistical models to explore species occurrence, distribution, and abundance;
• Experience and competency in working with large datasets;
• Experience in delivering a robust documented process.
Benefits / Remuneration:
• Salary, starting from £33,887.70 p.a.
• Competitive, discretionary profit share scheme.
• Full-time, permanent position.
• Working hours are based on Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00.
• 33 days annual leave per annum, including public holidays.
• 4% company pension contribution.
• Private medical and dental care scheme.
• Medicash scheme.
• Group Life Assurance.
• Company sick pay allowance.
• Salary sacrifice scheme including Pension Salary Exchange, Cycle to Work scheme, and help towards the purchase of ultra-low emission vehicles.
Closing date: Friday 10th January 2025, 10am
HiDef is proud to be an inclusive company, and people are at the heart of how we deliver our services. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or belief.
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