Job Description:

The economic impact of a loss of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) has been studied extensively, with an estimated daily loss to the UK economy of over £1 billion. However, there has yet to be an in-depth analysis of the societal impact of a full or partial loss of position, navigation and timing (PNT). This internship will produce a communication tool to illustrate the impact of GNSS degradation on individuals and businesses, as well as the impact of effective mitigation. The purpose is to boost awareness of the risks and potential technological solutions with local government stakeholders. The project will conclude with justified recommendations on resilience.

The intern will perform:

• Stakeholder engagement: The intern will need to interact with stakeholders in the PNT and government domains to gain a fuller understanding of their research and priorities within local authorities. The end-product of the project will be a communication tool to be shared with key local government stakeholders.

• Sector research: The intern will research the dependencies on and vulnerabilities of GNSS in selected use cases. The Catapult has extensive experience in this area, and colleagues will add their expertise to this task. The aim of this activity is to identify the use cases of interest to both the intern and industry/government, identifying vulnerabilities threatening everyday life in the UK. This will extend to a review of mitigation technology available or under research, providing recommendations for suitable solutions.

• Use case definition: Following the initial sector research, use cases will be defined. This will include the specific identification of how PNT services are used and the wider context of each case and how it interacts with the wider economy and society.

• Evaluation of user and societal impact: The goal of this project is to evaluate the impact of GNSS degradation and its mitigations on society, and consequently this will take up much of the allotted time. The intern will describe and justify the impacts anticipated in selected use cases, taking a user-centred approach, and will communicate the translation of these to societal impacts. This will be repeated with mitigations in place, contrasting with the unmitigated future scenarios.

The successful applicant should have the following qualities and abilities:

This internship will provide the applicant with the opportunity to develop a combination of technical and human skills applicable to research, analysis, and collaboration in the space sector. A strong starting baseline in these areas will be beneficial.

Systems thinking

• The intern will be expected to demonstrate their systems-oriented thought process throughout the project. The field of PNT vulnerabilities is complex, and can be described as a system of systems with many interacting parts, both human and technological. It is expected that skills will be developed in stakeholder and requirements management, as well as broader systems thinking practices.

Stakeholder communication

• This project is an exercise in stakeholder communication, with the end-product intended to be shared with those in local governments. The intern will have the opportunity to interact with stakeholders in the PNT engineering and user community, developing their skills by tailoring communication with people of varied expertise and remit.

Technical trade-offs

• There are many technologies available with the potential to mitigate GNSS vulnerabilities, and different technologies will be suited to different use cases. As such, the intern will research and analyse the suitability of various technologies for each use case, providing clear justifications for their recommendations.

User impact studies

• The user is key to any system, and the impact on users across society (civilian, industrial, government) is the critical issue of this project. By performing analysis of the effects of GNSS degradation and its mitigation on system users, the intern will develop skills in identifying and evaluating the impact of technological solutions on users.

By the end of the project, the intern will be equipped with a well-rounded skill set, valuable for both the space sector and broader industries.

Academic Requirements:

• The intern will be undertaking an honours degree in Systems Engineering, Product or Service Design, or a similar discipline, and will have an appreciation for systems, futures and user-centred thinking.

Minimum Requirements:

• The intern should have a strong interest in space systems, and an interest in societal/industrial resilience is highly desirable.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential.

• A critical thinker who proactively seeks ways to improve their work through feedback and iteration.

Process details:

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

• 5 days holiday to be taken during the placement

How we work at Satellite Applications Catapult….

We strive to create a high trust, high performance and inclusive 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 anyone 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 think are needed to be able to perform in this job. However, if you believe you can deliver in this role then we want to hear from you.

Important notice for applicants: We use tools to detect plagiarism and the use of AI or chatbots for applicant answers. If plagiarism, AI use (such as ChatGPT) or similar software are found to have been used in your application you will not be considered for this or future roles within the Satellite Applications Catapult. If you need any additional support during the application process, please do reach out and connect. We also invite you to share feedback via Applied.

At Satellite Applications Catapult, we're committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome candidates from all corners of the globe, but due to legal and logistical considerations, we want to be transparent about the potential visa-related challenges that could arise. Our ability to offer sponsorship will depend on the level of interest for our roles and salary level. Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

If you need any additional support during the application process, please do reach out and connect. We also invite you to share feedback via Applied.