Overview

Foundation Scientific Software Engineer - AI for Climate. We’re looking for two exceptional Foundation Scientific Software Engineers in AI for Climate to help us make a difference to our planet. As a Foundation SSE, the role may be suitable for hybrid working (part in the office, part from home). This is a full-time opportunity (37 hours per week) and we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week or a jobshare.

World changing work: from science to technology, meteorology to management, and planning to communication, we help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative data-driven solutions for climate applications as part of a large SSE community (100+ SSEs).
• Join teams focused on AI/ML applications for climate science, advancing data-driven climate models and ML-based downscaling where appropriate.
• Undertake research and development in data science and machine learning for climate prediction, including model evaluation and interpretation.
• Work within the AI4Climate initiative in the Earth System Data Science team, collaborating with scientists, software engineers, and external partners.
• Contribute to projects across the Met Office and with partner universities, other Met Services, research institutions and commercial partners.
• Engage with domain experts and share knowledge within the wider Scientific/Research Software Engineering community.
• Communicate research outcomes via publications, talks, or seminars (internal and external).

Essential criteria, skills and experience

• Undergraduate degree in physical, environmental or computational science or data science (2:1 or above).
• Knowledge of applying machine learning and deep learning methods in data science.
• Strong programming skills with a proven ability to solve technical problems and answer scientific questions.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team to deliver outcomes.
• Ability to apply quality assurance processes, best practices, standards and/or regulations to work.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to convey complex information to varied audiences.

Desirable: experience with data-driven weather or climate models or ML downscaling.

How to apply

Closing date: 12/10/2025 at 23:59; first stage interviews commencing 20/10/2025. Prepare your career history and evidence against essential criteria in your supporting statement. Candidates may use CARL/STAR methods for presenting evidence.

Compensation and benefits

• Total reward package up to £40,480 annually, including: Civil Service pension (employer contribution ~28.97%), Recruitment Retention Allowance (£2,200 per annum as market supplement, Apr 2024–Mar 2026), annual leave 27.5 days (rising to 32.5 days after 5 years + bank holidays).

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applicants from all protected characteristics. Security clearance is required (UK residency criteria). We offer hybrid working, lifestyle support, and opportunities for professional development.

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