Geospatial Scientist

Climate X is hiring a Geospatial Scientist in London, UK, with expertise in geospatial data engineering and Earth Observation techniques. The role involves solving geospatial engineering challenges, optimizing workflows for large datasets, and collaborating with hazard scientists. Essential skills include experience with large geospatial datasets and proficiency in Python-based geospatial tools. A PhD or equivalent experience is required, along with a minimum of 3 years in the geospatial domain.
About the role

We are seeking a Scientist with extensive experience in geospatial data engineering and model development (physical, statistical or machine learning) and with expertise in Earth Observation processing techniques and sources. You will need to be adaptable to tackle technical challenges across geospatial and physical modelling domains. As a key member of the Science Team, you will be pivotal in building scalable geospatial tools, supporting hazard scientists in complex modelling tasks, creating high-quality input datasets, and future-proofing our processes to scale to new geographies and advanced methodologies.

The impact you'll own
• Solve geospatial engineering challenges: Solve problems by optimising workflows for massive global geospatial datasets: from processing terabytes of satellite imagery to scaling out a river flood model on a continental scale. You'll help ensure that models are robust, high-performance, and able to scale seamlessly.
• Champion best practices: Shape the way geospatial science gets done by creating smarter, faster approaches —whether it's building reusable tools to validate our models or designing systems to ensure every model run is reproducible. You'll lead the charge in making geospatial work seamless, ensuring the team can focus on solving big-picture challenges.
• Build new geospatial datasets: Take ownership of transforming diverse datasets into cohesive, standardised formats, whether it's compiling observations of wildfire occurrence, or harmonising tropical cyclone and storm surge data for detailed hazard modelling. You'll transform raw data into analysis-ready, cloud-optimised datasets tailored for large-scale geospatial processing.
• Geospatial leadership: Collaborate with hazard scientists, enhancing the complexity, precision, and scope of their modelling tasks. Enable accurate, data-driven insights for a deeper understanding of hazard dynamics across diverse environments.

Essential Skills
• Strong experience working with large geospatial raster and vector datasets (e.g. Earth Observation or climate datasets).
• Experience with processing of large and complex datasets in a python based geospatial stack (xarray, numpy, scipy, dask, geopandas, OGR, GDAL).
• Strong numerical skills with the ability to apply quantitative methods to extract meaningful insights from spatial data.
• Familiar with modelling concepts from one of hydrology, atmospheric, environmental sciences.

Desirable skills:

Experience in any one of these areas makes you stand out but are not required for the role and if you are passionate and interested in the role we encourage you to apply!
• Experienced with AWS, GCP, or Azure for geospatial data storage, access, and distributed computation.
• Experience processing optical or radar Earth Observation datasets.
• Experience building geospatial machine learning or physical/semi-empirical models

Qualifications
• PhD or equivalent experience in Earth Observation, geospatial data engineering or environmental sciences.
• Minimum of 3 years industry experience in geospatial domain.

Benefits

🌍 Contribute to a business making purposeful impact related to climate change

💡 Monthly training & conference budget to help you upskill and develop your career (£1,000 per year)

📈 6 monthly appraisals and 12 monthly pay reviews

💰 Pension contribution scheme

🏡 Flexible hours and hybrid working (3 days/week in office; core hours 10am-4pm)

🏥 Mental Health and Wellbeing support via Oliva

🏖 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays, annual 3-day Christmas-closure, and half day on your birthday (36.5 days total!)

🏏 Optional quarterly socials, dinners, and fun nights out

🥐 A fully stocked supply of snacks, fruit, and refreshments for the days when you are in the office

🚴 Cycle to work scheme via gogeta

🍼 Enhanced maternity and paternity

🐶 Pawternity leave

🐕 Dog friendly office (official residence of Alfie, Chief Mischief Officer)

Equal Opportunities

Climate X are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.