Job Description

Job Introduction

We're looking for an exceptional

Senior Scientist - Defence Applications

to help us make a difference to our planet.


As our Senior Scientist - Defence Applications, 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, 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

You will undertake and co-ordinate research and development into aspects of meteorology and climate science relevant to defence and security customers. You will have the opportunity to work closely with defence and security stakeholders to shape the strategic direction of our future work plan in response to their emerging needs for climate information.

Your key duties:

Leading the development and application of suitable climate analyses and/or data science (including machine learning/AI) techniques for quantifying the impacts and associated risks of climate upon the customer's interests. Working with the wider Met Office team and partners across government to understand current and future Met Office capabilities and how they can be used to provide an authoritative source of data and expertise across climate services. Leading the scientific delivery of projects, including developing plans, proposals and reports for customers/stakeholders. Representing the Met Office at national and/or international customer/stakeholder meetings, workshops, scientific conferences etc. where the application of science needs to be presented and discussed. Guiding the work of other team members, helping to develop their scientific and technical capability and understanding of customer/stakeholder requirements.

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 Senior Scientist - Defence Applications, your total reward package will be up to 58,419 annually, which includes:

41,725 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:

We keep evolving - A high level of learned and working knowledge in climate science/security (or other physical science/environmental/mathematical subjects), gained through experience or academic qualification, with a strong track record of developing insights into climate impacts on human and/or natural systems. We're a force for good - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to listen actively, discuss complex scientific and/or technical information clearly and effectively with a range of audiences, and propose innovative solutions to address diverse user/customer/stakeholder needs. We live and breathe it - Strong organisational skills with demonstrated ability to lead the delivery of complex research projects or customer outputs, including leading the work of others. Demonstrated experience of the analytical application of science to the development and delivery of user-relevant data, insights and intelligence. We're experts by nature - Excellent programming skills and experience, e.g. Python, and willingness to support others in developing their technical skills. Experience of applying and promoting recognised approaches to software quality assurance.

Desirable Criteria:

Developed Vetting security clearance, or willingness to undergo the process on appointment would be advantageous

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 03/11/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 17/11/2025. 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.