Foundation Scientist - Earth Observation

Job Introduction

We’re looking for an exceptional Foundation Scientist - Earth Observation 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 part time 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

You will work as a member of a research and development team, to develop satellite retrievals and improve the application of satellite datasets in the fields of meteorology, atmospheric composition (including volcanic clouds and dust) and other satellite-based hazard detection. This work will include scientific analysis and technical implementation of new or updated retrieval algorithms, the assessment and utilisation of externally-developed products, and support for the use of these products in situational awareness, forecasting and nowcasting systems (including through data assimilation). Significant results will be presented at conferences or workshops and in reports or scientific literature. The applicant will work with users to assess their needs and support utilisation of the products. 

The Satellite Imagery Team is part of the Space Applications and Nowcasting Strategic Area at the Met Office. Our aim is to improve our situational awareness and provide data for forecasting and verification applications. The Satellite Imagery Team work closely with the Space Data Products & Systems team, who help support the entire data chain, from satellite mission through to production of imagery and products. We work closely with teams in the Met Office who make use of the products from the Satellite Imagery Team including in aviation, volcanic ash monitoring, numerical weather prediction and emergency response.

Your key duties

• To plan and carry out research and development projects to improve Met Office systems and applications
• To provide interpretation and analysis of satellite datasets
• To document and present the work of the Met Office in internal reports, meetings, scientific journals, and external conferences
• To provide scientific/technical advice to peers, management and external stakeholders
• To represent the Met Office nationally and internationally as required

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK 2023' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.

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:

1. Background in Physical Sciences, Computer Science or Data Science at University Degree level or equivalent in a relevant scientific area.
2. Demonstrated ability to apply broad scientific knowledge to a range of specific scientific problems and scenarios relevant to the Weather Science area.
3. Experience or aptitude to write scientific software. Aptitude to learn and apply software tools and/or programming languages. 
4. Demonstrated ability to be a strong team player with an ability to collaborate with scientific and technical colleagues.
5. Excellent communication skills (written, oral, presentation and listening).

How to apply

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you. Apply below using our application form providing 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 15/09/2024 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 23/09/2024. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

How we can help

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please contact us via careers@metoffice.gov.uk. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. 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.

We are currently working through a re-prioritisation process in our Science Directorate, with some employees being asked to discontinue their current work. These employees will be given priority for internal campaigns until the re-prioritisation is complete.