Spectral Scientist

JOB TITLE

Spectral Scientist – Hyperspectral Imaging & Infrared Spectroscopy

LOCATION

Geotek head office, Daventry, UK, or Rockwash Geodata head office, Llandudno, UK, with occasional overseas travel.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Geotek is seeking a Spectral Scientist to develop hyperspectral imaging and infrared spectroscopy applications for geological materials. Working at the interface of instrumentation, software and applied science, you will turn spectral data into reliable interpretations, support clients and advance our next-generation hyperspectral capability.

A background in geology or mineralogy combined with hyperspectral analysis is particularly welcome, but is not essential. We also welcome applicants from Earth observation, remote sensing, airborne or UAV survey, optics and photonics, analytical chemistry, materials science and other relevant fields who bring strong spectral-analysis skills.

You will take scientific ownership of spectral-method development and collaborate with our Software, R&D, Consultancy, Services and New Product Development (NPD) teams. The application is geological; your previous sector need not be.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development and validation of spectral interpretation methods for geological materials using hyperspectral imaging and infrared spectroscopy.
• Develop robust workflows for calibration, pre-processing, spectral feature analysis and quality assurance, assessing measurement variability, uncertainty and limitations.
• Research and apply statistical, chemometric and machine-learning approaches where appropriate, with suitable validation against reference data.
• Provide scientific direction for hyperspectral analysis and visualisation software, working with software and data-science colleagues to implement reproducible, usable workflows.
• Collaborate on experiments and instrument evaluation, relating acquisition conditions and sensor performance to the quality of spectral interpretations.
• Support internal projects and clients with tailored spectral insights, clear technical reports, presentations and workshops.
• Contribute to project planning and engage with the international research community through technical collaborations and conferences.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• A degree in geology, Earth sciences, remote sensing, physics, optics/photonics, chemistry, materials science, engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant practical experience.
• Experience with imaging spectroscopy, reflectance measurements, spectral libraries, spectral feature extraction and spectral unmixing.
• Experience with chemometrics, machine learning, experimental spectroscopy or transferring analytical methods into software or customer-facing applications.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience analysing measured hyperspectral or optical/infrared spectroscopic data and relating spectra to material properties, composition or other validated physical information.
• Sound understanding of spectroscopy and how calibration, noise, acquisition conditions and sample or scene variability affect results.
• Ability to build reproducible spectral-analysis workflows using scientific software and/or programming tools, such as Python, MATLAB, R, IDL, ENVI or equivalent. No particular package is mandatory.
• Experience applying quantitative and statistical methods, evaluating performance and limitations, and independently solving scientific problems to agreed objectives and deadlines.
• Clear written and spoken English, effective multidisciplinary teamwork and the ability to explain technical findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Experience may come from industry, consultancy or substantive academic research. An interest in applying your skills to geological materials is essential; prior geological employment is not.

Desirable - not essential

• Geological or mineralogical knowledge, particularly hyperspectral analysis of rocks, minerals, core or cuttings.
• A relevant MSc or PhD; experience supporting customers, presenting research or leading technical projects.

You do not need to meet every desirable criterion or to have worked in mining, oil and gas or core scanning. Laboratory, field, airborne, satellite and industrial experience are all welcome.

Practical requirements

This is an on-site role with occasional overseas travel. You must be able to undertake the required travel and have the right to work in the UK by the agreed start date.

ABOUT GEOTEK

Founded in 1994, Geotek develops non-destructive core-analysis systems and geological instrumentation for customers in oil and gas, mineral exploration, geotechnical engineering, research and academia worldwide. Our group includes Rockwash Geodata (Deganwy), enhancing our UK-based analytical footprint.

BENEFITS AND REMUNERATION

• Salary £40,000–£48,000, dependent on experience.
• 23 days annual leave plus UK Bank Holidays.
• Employer-matched pension contributions up to 7.5%.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Life Assurance Policy.
• Voluntary Share Incentive Plan.
• Enhanced Parental Pay and company sick pay scheme.
• Free on-site parking and flexible core hours policy.

JOB TYPE

Full-time, on-site. 40-hour working week.

RECRUITMENT DETAILS

Closing date: 13 November 2026.

First-round interviews are expected in the week commencing 23 November 2026. These will be 30-minute, informal online interviews.

Second-round interviews will take place in the following weeks, in person at our premises in Daventry.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Successful candidates will be required to complete the relevant right to work and background checks including a Basic DBS check.
• For certain roles, successful candidates may be required to provide medical information.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please complete our application form which can be found on our website https://www.geotek.co.uk/2026/10/20/spectral-scientist/ and send the completed form via email to Sign in to view email, along with an up-to-date CV.

Only applications submitted with our completed application form will be considered. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support to complete the application form, please contact us directly.

Applications received after the closing date will not be reviewed.

DATA PROTECTION

We take your privacy seriously. The information obtained and provided during the recruitment and employment process will be processed in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Your data will only be used for recruitment and employment purposes and will not be shared with third parties without your consent.

By applying for this role, you agree to the processing of your personal data as described above.