Job Description

Details

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Reference number

431414
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Salary

52,799 - 56,738
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Grade 7###

Contract type

Permanent###

Type of role

Science###

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Exeter, South West England, EX1 3PB

About the job

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Job summary

We're looking for an exceptional

Sea Level Scientific Manager

to help us make a difference to our planet.


As our Sea Level Scientific Manager, 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 33 hours per week. 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 ###

Job description

Your world of expertise

An opportunity has arisen to join the scientific leadership and management team of the Ocean, Cryosphere and Climate (OCC) group, working alongside other members of the group and the wider Met Office, as our Sea Level Manager. This is an exciting time to join us as we move into the next phase of developing science to deliver UK Climate Projections, producing scientific outputs that contribute directly to government policy outcomes. You will be providing scientific leadership to the Sea Level team which undertakes:

Interdisciplinary scientific research to improve our understanding of observed and projected changes to global, regional and local sea level, including drivers of sea level extremes. Scientific development of methodology for sea level projections and the development of software tools for this purpose; Provision of scientific advice and data on sea level past and future across the Met office and to academia Communicating the wider scientific understanding of aspects of sea level that are of interest to government, Met Office customers and other stakeholders

Your key duties:

Provide scientific leadership and set the scientific direction for the Sea Level team. Act as line manager for sea level team members (approx. 4-5 staff) Oversee the production of the UK Marine and Sea Level Climate Projections (UKCP) Contribute to the coordination, planning and delivery of sea level science capability with key partners both internal and external to the Met Office. Contribute to broader planning and strategy development of OCC and the Met Office Hadley Centre. Occasional travel in the UK and overseas to foster and maintain national and international collaborative research partnerships There will also be opportunities to maintain and/or develop areas of your expertise related to sea level rise and ocean climate. ###

Person specification

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

Expertise in oceanography, climate science or other physical sciences relevant to the post with evidence of postgraduate research experience (e.g. PhD + several years postdoc, or demonstration of equivalent experience) with an enthusiasm to develop expertise in sea level rise (Expert by Nature) Evidence of a strong track record in scientific and/or technical delivery, demonstrating scientific insight and research leadership. Demonstrated leadership skills with ability to inspire, motivate and develop scientific staff and colleagues across teams including evidence of people and team leadership experience (Live and Breathe it) Demonstrated ability to understand the wider strategic context for your work, including evidence of the ability to interpret user requirements or scientific problems and convert into high quality research outputs Demonstrated ability to communicate, work collaboratively, and in partnership with others to develop science outputs (Better together)

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 52,799, Met Office contributes 15,295 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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 Sea Level Scientific Manager, your total reward package will be up to 73,518 annually, which includes:

52,799 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

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

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 31/10/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 10/11/2025. 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.



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.###

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
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Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.###

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.###

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Resourcing Team Email : careers@metoffice.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

* Email : careers@metoffice.gov.uk