Job Description

Job Introduction

We're looking for an exceptional

Atmospheric Composition and Climate Foundation Scientist

to help us make a difference to our planet.


As a Foundation Scientist in Atmospheric Composition and Climate, 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 30 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.

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

The successful candidate will be joining the Atmospheric Composition and Climate team in the Earth System and Mitigation Science group in Climate Science. You will be joining a team that develops and applies 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. Likewise, the impact of climate change on atmospheric composition, including the role of climate feedbacks, is one of our research interests.


We work with UK and international partners to develop the United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosol (UKCA) model within the UK's Earth system model and apply it to advance our scientific understanding of the interactions between atmospheric composition and climate. A key aspect of our work is on the quantification of the benefits and tradeoffs associated with different mitigation pathways and other potential climate solutions on atmospheric composition and climate. We also actively participate and lead international modelling initiative focussing 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 the interactions between atmospheric composition and climate Work with colleagues in the Atmospheric Composition and Climate team and the wider scientific community to advance understanding on the climate and atmospheric composition responses to different mitigation pathways and/or potential climate solutions (e.g., methane removal, transition to hydrogen) Contribute to the UK's participation in the Aerosol and Chemistry Model Intercomparison Project (AerChemMIP), part of Phase 7 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP7) Communicate research outcomes and project results via peer-reviewed publications, project reports, and other media Present your scientific results at national and international workshops and conferences, 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. 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 a Foundation Scientist in Atmospheric Composition and Climate, your total reward package will be up to 38,280 annually, which includes:

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 (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:

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 (Expert by nature) An aptitude and interest in using atmospheric composition or climate datasets and/or models for assessments of atmospheric composition and climate interactions or similar (Force for good). Experience of scientific programming, for example python and/or Fortran. Good organisation skills, with demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality output both independently and as part of a team (Better together), meeting tight deadlines, and planning and organising your own work as required Strong oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to present your own work and communicate complex scientific information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences

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 19/10/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 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 at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit our approach to recruitment.

How we can help

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at careers@metoffice.gov.uk.


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, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.