Coastal Specialist

The Marine and Coastal Risk Management (MCRM) Group is looking for a new member to expand the team, ideally in the Edinburgh office although we also have opportunities for coastal work in Haywards Heath and Portsmouth. The successful candidate will be an individual with background, experience, and interest in coastal engineering and coastal processes/geomorphology with proactive attitude and motivation to expand and innovate our methods, services, and portfolio.

Office attendance, three times a week, in one of our JBA offices is required and highly valued.

You’ll be joining an established environmental and engineering consultancy who put sustainability and resilience to climate change at the heart of our company strategy. With offices in nine countries around the world and across the UK and Ireland, we like to think we make a difference. We are independent and employee-owned allowing us the freedom to focus on innovation and our commitment to exceptional client service. Our workforce is central to our success, and we invest heavily in supporting staff development. We are great people to work for. Visit https://www.jbaconsulting.com/ to find out more about what we do.

Your role

The candidate would be delivering a range of coastal engineering and coastal change and adaptation projects. The technical work would primarily focus on processing and analysing hydrodynamic and beach morphodynamic data, understanding nearshore coastal processes, predicting future coastal change through application of coastal numerical models (XBeach, UNIBEST, ShorelineS, SWAN).

This role also includes the capacity and the interest in expanding our services, developing new methodologies to improve predictions of coastal change, supporting our growing portfolio of work. Enthusiasm and drive are essential, with the candidate being expected to contribute to the wider objectives of the MCRM group. We undertake internal R&D and collaborate with research institutions to deliver science-informed solutions.

Key tasks include:
• Data analysis for coastal processes.
• Application of numerical models to support consultancy and research projects.
• Analysis and interrogation of model outputs
• Production of technical reports and presentations.
• Site visits or surveying occasionally. Coastal WFD and erosion assessments.

The team member we’re looking for

The successful candidate will be able to work independently and derive technical solutions to solve a range of coastal engineering and geomorphology problems including both coastal flooding and erosion. They will support colleagues through development and application of technical methods to meet project requirements.

Qualifications

Core Qualification of Bachelors and Masters in a relevant subject (e.g. Coastal Engineering, Coastal Geomorphology, Oceanography, Physical Sciences)
Additional desirable Qualification of a PhD in a relevant subject area (e.g. Coastal Engineering, Oceanography, Physical Sciences)

Chartered status (e.g. ICE, CIWEM) is important to JBA and valued by our clients. Applicants should be Chartered or be able to demonstrate their commitment towards becoming Chartered with an appropriate professional body.

Essential attributes for the role

Essential attributes include:

• Analytical and programming skills for data processing (i.e. MATLAB, Python)
• Experience in data processing and analysis
• Experienced using GIS software
• Understanding of nearshore hydrodynamic and beach morphodynamic processes in relation to coastal flood risk and erosion.
• Clear communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Inclined to teamwork and collaborative working approach

Desirable attributes for the role

Additional desirable attributes include:

• Proficient in programming for data processing (i.e. MATLAB, Python)
• Experience of applying numerical models such as (XBeach, SWAN, Delft3D, TELEMAC)
• Experience with image processing for coastal purposes and remote sensing
• Experience with hydrodynamic, beach morphodynamic data collection and data management

Location and contact

JBA supports hybrid working which provides for greater flexibility with the way that we work.

The role will be located at our Edinburgh office within the Heriot Watt Research Park, home to Edinburgh’s largest science park. Presenting a unique way in which to learn and work, the office is surrounded by green space and provides free general parking and secure bike storage. Approximately seven miles from central Edinburgh and situated within the University campus, the office is well positioned in relation to the main transport networks, including the nearby Hermiston Gate Park and Ride where you will find the nearest EV charging facilities, for those travelling by road.

For further information or an informal discussion about this position, please contact Doug Pender on doug.pender@jbaconsulting.com