Research Associate in Environmental Sensing and Telemetry
Develop and evaluate innovative environmental sensing and telemetry systems for flood and drought resilience research.
Best for:Best for researchers with a PhD in hydrology, environmental engineering, or related fields, seeking hands-on experience in sensor networks, telemetry systems, and interdisciplinary environmental research.
Overview
This 12-month fixed-term position at Imperial College London’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering focuses on advancing environmental monitoring through cutting-edge telemetry systems. As part of the Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure (FDRI) programme, the successful candidate will implement and pilot LoRaWAN networks and open data pathways to enable real-world testing of next-generation sensing technologies. The role bridges hydrology, data science, and socio-technical systems, offering opportunities for methodological innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The position also involves mentoring PhD students and coordinating with international research teams. Ideal for professionals with expertise in sensor networks, environmental data, and technical innovation.
What you'll do
- Implement and evaluate LoRaWAN infrastructure within selected FDRI catchments to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities.
- Develop open telemetry workflows and experimental platforms for testing third-party sensing technologies at FDRI sites.
- Provide technical expertise for environmental sensor networks and support innovation pilots and technology demonstrations.
- Coordinate activities across FDRI to align with observatory deployment, site access, and governance requirements.
- Define future service models for integrating external technologies into environmental monitoring systems.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including research software engineers, environmental policymakers, and development studies experts.
- Supervise and mentor PhD students within the department.
- Contribute to methodological innovation at the intersection of hydrology, data science, and socio-technical systems.
Requirements
Degree required: PhD in hydrology, environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial, or commercial experience
Language: English (proficiency at a level suitable for academic research and collaboration)
Instruction: English
- Practical experience in research and/or innovation environments with a track record of high-quality research or technical outputs
- Hands-on experience developing, deploying, or operating sensor networks, telemetry systems, or environmental monitoring platforms
- Knowledge of hydrological data collection, curation, and analysis
- Strong problem-solving and creative approach to technical challenges
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interdisciplinary collaboration
- No explicit eligibility restrictions beyond degree or equivalent experience requirements
- Candidates who have not yet officially awarded their PhD may be appointed as Research Assistants
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-21
Applicants must submit their CV, cover letter, and any relevant supporting documents through the Imperial College London job portal. Ensure your application highlights your experience with sensor networks, telemetry systems, and environmental data analysis. For further details, refer to the job description on the Imperial College website.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Proof of PhD or equivalent experience (if applicable)
- References (if not provided separately)
Contact
Briony Webb· Application Process Queries
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