Overview

We are looking for an exceptional Atmospheric Composition and Climate Foundation Scientist to help us make a difference to our planet. The role is at Met Office.

This opportunity is full time (37 hours per week) with consideration for minimum 30 hours per week and potential job share arrangements. Hybrid working may be possible, with a mix of office and home-based work. The advertised location will be your contractual place of work.

We strive to make our world-changing work a reality and aim to balance science with technology, management, and communication to improve weather accuracy and climate prediction. This is the Met Office.

Our purpose is to help individuals, industries, and government make better decisions to stay safe and thrive.

Your world of expertise

The successful candidate will join the Atmospheric Composition and Climate team in the Earth System and Mitigation Science group in Climate Science. You will work on developing and applying atmospheric composition and climate models to quantify the impacts of natural and anthropogenic emission changes on atmospheric composition and air quality, the Earth’s energy budget, and climate. You will also study how climate change affects atmospheric composition, including climate feedbacks. We work with UK and international partners to develop the United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosol (UKCA) model within the UK Earth system model and apply it to understand the interactions between atmospheric composition and climate. A key focus is to quantify benefits and trade-offs of different mitigation pathways and climate solutions. We also participate in and lead international modelling initiatives on air pollution and chemistry–climate interactions.

Your key duties

• Use and develop the United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosol (UKCA) model for scientific research on atmospheric composition and climate
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Atmospheric Composition and Climate team and the wider scientific community to advance understanding of climate and atmospheric composition responses to mitigation pathways and potential climate solutions (e.g., methane removal, transition to hydrogen)
• Contribute to the UK’s participation in AerChemMIP (a CMIP7 initiative)
• Communicate research outcomes via peer‑reviewed publications, project reports, and other media
• Present scientific results at national and international workshops, policy or user meetings, and to public audiences

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified, and appears on Best Workplaces in Tech and Best Workplaces for Women lists.

As a Foundation Scientist in Atmospheric Composition and Climate, total rewards can be up to £38,280 annually, including:

• £26,954 base pay
• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual leave starting at 27.5 days (plus bank holidays), rising to 32.5 days after 5 years, with option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year

Essential Criteria, skills and experience

• Background in a relevant scientific field to at least degree level (2:1 or above), or equivalent experience
• Knowledge and understanding of atmospheric composition, earth system science and/or climate
• Aptitude and interest in using atmospheric composition or climate datasets and/or models for assessments of interactions
• Experience of scientific programming (e.g., Python and/or Fortran)
• Good organisation skills with ability to deliver high-quality output independently and in a team
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to present work clearly to diverse audiences

How to apply

If you share our values, click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each essential criterion in the supporting statement questionnaire. The CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) is recommended for presenting evidence of experience and skills.

Closing date: 19/10/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing 27/10/2025. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

Using AI in your application

We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions are made by people, not AI.

How we can help

If you have questions or would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact us. We can support adjustments in your application process. If offered an interview, there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or scenario-based activity. You can opt into the Disability Confident Scheme if eligible. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code. You must be eligible to live and work in the UK, and security clearance is required, with residence requirements as specified by policy.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Science

Industries

• Professional Services