Project Description:

Space-based technologies have a crucial role in transitioning the Earth’s population to a more sustainable and secure future. From observations to inform how we can better manage our impact on the planet, to analysing clean energy use from space, there are strong drivers and significant economic opportunities. Through our missions, the Satellite Applications Catapult is contributing towards lasting solutions to humanity’s greatest challenges.

This project will contribute towards the success of the Our Sustainable Earth Mission. The successful applicant will identify data sources for communities of interest, e.g. UK Science Innovation Network countries, OECD, World Bank Poverty and Inequality data, WEF reports etc. to inform where space-based technologies can most meaningfully be applied to enable socio-economic impact in addressing forms of intersectional exclusion, rising inequality and the widening digital divide. The project will establish a scientific and policy-based rationale for selecting target communities and inform decisions on accessible levers for change.

Outputs/Deliverables – report comprising data sources and a digital divide matrix to inform selection of target geographies or communities where space-based products and service interventions could yield impact.

Relevance to mission – This project has direct relevance to Our Sustainable Earth. It will provide academic rigour in the identification and selection of vulnerable communities that could benefit from co-created solutions within a programme of building social cohesion. The project will focus on achieving impact in SDGs 6, 9, 10 and 11.

Benefit to the Applicant – this project offers an:

• Opportunity to help shape strategy and tactics for addressing development challenges through innovation and technology.

• Opportunity to work directly with a live programme team.

• Opportunity to work on SDGs.

• Opportunity to apply social science approaches to the space industry.  

  Find out more about SPIN and explore FAQs here.

Applicant Specification:

Social science expertise, undergraduate or postgraduate level. Ideally international development and geopolitical knowledge.

Minimum requirements:

• Passion and enthusiasm

• Proficient experience in synthesising disparate data sets.

• Proficient in report generation and the visual presentation of complex data.

• An interest in economics, culture and international development is additionally beneficial

Process details:

• 8 weeks minimum fixed term contract to be agreed with successful candidate

• In-person Induction Event to be held on 24th June 2024, and an in-person/hybrid Showcase Event

• 5 days holiday to be taken during the placement

How we work:

We strive to create a high trust environment that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work – this helps to create the foundations of an innovation culture. Our shared values are critical to this:

• We care - for our people, our partners, and our planet

• We connect - and engage with people and ideas

• We learn - and grow, as people and as an industry

Underpinning this is our belief in great teams, our combined efforts will always deliver outcomes beyond that of any individual providing we are honest through debate, experiment and reflect, and create shared resolutions in support of our purpose. Live these values, work to our principles, take ownership to deliver, and we are certain you will thrive with us.

This job description set outs the skills and experience we believe are needed to be able to do this job but, research also tells us women are much more likely than men to take this list of requirements as absolute and self-select out of the process. If you think you can deliver this role then we want to hear from you, regardless of the boxes you didn’t tick.