We're looking for a Foundation Scientist to help us make a difference to our planet.
As our Foundation Scientist, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.
Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 22 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.
Whilst this is a temporary position for 2 years, there is potential for it to develop into a permanent position.
World changing work
From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. 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.
We're a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
We're experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
We're better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers
Your world of expertise
You will develop an excellent understanding of how weather information is used in industry across the surface transport, energy, retail and infrastructure sectors. Your work will combine this with your relevant scientific and technical background to develop and support the next generation of weather forecast services for new and existing Met Office customers, for example in helping rail network operators to run a safe and efficient railway system or supporting the UK's clean energy transition.
Your key duties
Researching cutting edge science and technology to utilise weather and climate data as well as industry data to produce outputs that benefit our industry customers.
Developing high quality scientific computing code to undertake the required data analysis and designing and building forecast production systems.
Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to successfully deliver a range of projects.
Clearly communicating science through reports and presentations to customers and peers.
Carry out the scientific and technical activities to ensure timely delivery of operational services for the benefit of our customers.
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. We are also featured on their 'Best Workplaces in Tech' 2023 and 2024 lists, as well as their '54 Best Workplaces for Women' 2023 list.
As our Foundation Scientist, your total reward package will be up to £37,776 annually, which includes:
£26,954 base pay
An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 27%
Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave
Essential Criteria, skills and experience:
Experience and knowledge in a physical science or quantitative scientific discipline at a graduate or equivalent level.
Good scientific computing skills (e.g. in Python) and a demonstrated ability to learn and apply software tools and/or programming languages to address scientific problems.
Evidence of effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to understand user needs and communicate complex scientific or technical information to a range of audiences.
Strong team player with the ability to work and collaborate as a dynamic and productive member of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver projects.
An independent thinker, able to proactively take ownership of work, to identify and address knowledge gaps and to learn new concepts/methods to problem-solve and meet project objectives.
How to apply
If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.
Closing date 24/11/2024 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 01/12/2024. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.
How we can help
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at .
If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.
We understand that great minds don't always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.
We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.
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