Dr Arnab Saha
ICT Senior Officer (Development)
Dr. Arnab Saha is an accomplished ICT Senior Officer (Development) at The City of Edinburgh Council, bringing a wealth of expertise in soil sciences, environmental management, hydrological sciences, remote sensing, and GIS. With a distinguished background as a PhD James Watt Scholar, Dr. Saha has been an integral part of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, for over two years, making significant contributions to various research endeavours. His involvement in projects sponsored by prestigious institutions like the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - UKRI and High Speed Two (HS2) Limited & UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC) underscores his commitment to advancing knowledge in these domains. Dr. Saha's research has focused on critical areas such as water and soil health assessment, clay-compost mix for plant growth, and arsenic distribution in agricultural soils. Beyond research, his dedication to education is evident through his role as a Teaching Assistant for courses spanning environmental technology, surveying, and water treatment. Dr. Saha's multidisciplinary approach, coupled with his leadership qualities, positions him as a prominent figure in the fields of soil sciences, environmental management, hydrology, remote sensing, and GIS.
Professional Experience
The City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
ICT Senior Officer (Development)
November 2023 - till now
In my current role as ICT Senior Officer (Development) at The City of Edinburgh Council, I am responsible for providing comprehensive support and development activities within the GIS Team. Working in a dynamic environment, I collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance our geographical information systems (GIS) capabilities and promote location intelligence in multidisciplinary projects. My duties include supporting GIS users, developing solutions, maintaining the GIS Enterprise infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with GIS strategies and data standards. With a strong background in GIS, particularly with ESRI ArcGIS products, I contribute to spatial data capture, interpretation, mapping, and data analysis. I leverage my expertise in web delivery and programming languages like JavaScript, Python, R and HTML to build web mapping applications and provide analytical insights.
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Tutor
April 2021 - June 2023
During my time as a Tutor (P/T) at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, I provided teaching assistance across various courses, contributing to the academic development of students. I facilitated learning in courses such as Environmental Technology & Management, Surveying and GIS, and Water and Wastewater Treatment. Through this role, I engaged with students in both theoretical concepts and practical applications, fostering their understanding and critical thinking skills. My responsibilities included conducting tutorials, assisting with course materials, grading assignments, and offering guidance to students. By actively participating in the educational process, I aimed to create an enriching learning environment and support students in achieving their academic goals.
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
Senior Research Fellow
April 2019 - November 2019
As a Senior Research Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, I spearheaded the "Effect of Climate Change & Land Use/Land Cover Changes on Spatial and Temporal Water Availability in Subarnarekha Basin" project. Sponsored by the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, my focus was on integrating hydrology, remote sensing, and GIS to assess the impact of climate change and land use/land cover changes on water availability in the Subarnarekha Basin. Through meticulous data analysis and modeling, I provided insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of water resources, contributing valuable knowledge to mitigate the adverse effects of environmental changes in the region. My efforts aimed to inform sustainable water resource management strategies for the Subarnarekha Basin.
Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun, India
Junior Research Fellow
June 2017 - March 2018
As a Junior Research Fellow at Uttarakhand Technical University in Dehradun, I focused on the "Development of Methodology to Compensate Effect of Topography, Contamination, and Adjacency Factors" project. Sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, my role involved harnessing hyperspectral remote sensing techniques. I contributed to developing innovative methodologies to mitigate the influence of topography, contamination, and adjacency factors on remote sensing data. Through rigorous data analysis and experimentation, I aimed to enhance the accuracy and reliability of remote sensing applications in various environmental contexts. My research endeavors sought to address critical challenges in remote sensing technology, ultimately advancing the capabilities of hyperspectral imagery for environmental monitoring and management purposes.
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Research Assistant
July 2021 - August 2023
During my tenure as a Research Assistant (P/T) at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, I contributed to multiple research projects aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges. I collaborated on initiatives such as developing a systems-based approach for water and soil health assessment, investigating the potential of clay-compost mixtures for enhancing plant growth, and studying the distribution of arsenic in agricultural soils to assess exposure risks in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. These projects, sponsored by reputable institutions like the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the UK-Mexico British Council-Newton fund, allowed me to apply my expertise in environmental management, soil sciences, remote sensing, and GIS to generate valuable insights and contribute to scientific knowledge in these areas.
Delhi Development Authority, New Delhi, India
Consultant (GIS)
January 2020 - December 2020
As a Consultant in GIS at Delhi Development Authority, I played a pivotal role in the "Land Pooling Policy in Delhi" project, supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. My responsibilities encompassed utilizing my expertise in urban planning, remote sensing, and GIS to analyze spatial data and contribute insights to the development of land pooling policies. I collaborated closely with stakeholders to understand their requirements and translate them into actionable strategies. Through meticulous data analysis and mapping, I provided valuable inputs that informed decision-making processes. My contributions to this project aimed to optimize land utilization and facilitate sustainable urban development in Delhi.
National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, India
Junior Research Fellow
April 2018 - April 2019
During my tenure as a Junior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Hydrology in Roorkee, I contributed to the "Neeranchal National Watershed Project," funded by the World Bank, UNDP, and the Government of India. My focus was on integrating hydrology and remote sensing techniques to support watershed management initiatives. Through extensive data analysis and fieldwork, I assessed the hydrological characteristics of the watershed and utilized remote sensing data to monitor land use changes and their impact on water resources. My research aimed to provide valuable insights to policymakers and stakeholders involved in sustainable watershed management practices, ultimately contributing to the conservation and effective utilization of water resources in the region.
Projects
1. Developing a partnership to deliver a systems-based approach to water and soil health assessment and management. 2023. (AOI: Environmental Management)
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - UKRI & Heriot-Watt University
2. Assessing the potential of clay-compost mix for plant growth. 2023. (AOI: Soil Sciences)
- High Speed Two (HS2) Limited & UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC)
3. Distribution of arsenic on agricultural soils and its influence on exposure risks through maize ingestion and agricultural activities in Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. 2021. (AOI: Soil Contamination, Remote Sensing & GIS)
- UK-Mexico British Council & Newton Fund
4. Estimation of Arsenic Contamination in Agricultural Soils by Combining the Reflectance Spectroscopy of Soils and Plants. 2021. (AOI: Soil Sciences & Hyperspectral Remote Sensing)
- Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
5. Land Pooling Policy in Delhi. 2020. (AOI: Urban Planning, Remote Sensing & GIS)
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India
6. Effect of Climate Change & Land Use/Land Cover Changes on Spatial and Temporal Water Availability in Subarnarekha Basin. 2019. (AOI: Hydrology, Remote Sensing & GIS)
- Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India
7. Neeranchal National Watershed Project. 2018. (AOI: Hydrology & Remote Sensing)
- World Bank, UNDP & Government of India
8. Development of Methodology to Compensate Effect of Topography, Contamination and Adjacency Factors. 2017. (AOI: Hyperspectral Remote Sensing)
- Department of Science and Technology, Government of India