Scientific Strategic Head - Atmospheric Processes and Parametrizations

Job Introduction

We’re looking for an exceptional Scientific Strategic Head - Atmospheric Processes and Parametrizations to help us make a difference to our planet. 

As our Scientific Strategic Head - Atmospheric Processes and Parametrizations, 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 25 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 

You will lead our Atmospheric Processes and Parameterisation (APP) team in Foundation Science. The APP team are focused on understanding fundamental physical processes in the atmosphere and translating this to improvements in our weather and climate modelling systems.  

The APP is responsible for developing self-consistent physics in the new model framework, Momentum (replacing the Unified Model), from very high resolution (LES) to global climate modelling resolutions. This will use an optimal hybrid physical-AI blend to achieve the most accurate representation of the atmosphere and land surface, focussed on improving key systematic errors, credibility in extremes and identifying impacts.  

For further information about the APP team please see - here.

Your key duties  

As a Scientific Strategic Head, you will direct and enable multiple scientific teams delivering or applying scientific research to enhance the Met Office’s capability, impact or quality of its predictions, products or advice. You will:  

•    Promote a culture of continual improvement, coaching and personal development, ensuring all team members develop the skills needed to meet the changing business requirements.  

•    Work with partners and stakeholders to ensure science and technical delivery is fit for purpose and collaboration is delivering for all partners.  

As the Scientific Strategic Head of APP in Foundation Sciences you will: 

•    Provide strategic leadership in the development, co-ordination and delivery, leading to improved representation of atmospheric processes and parameterisation in the Momentum model framework in support of weather and climate prediction  

•    Actively contribute to the Foundation Science Management team, working effectively with peers to deliver across the sub-directorate.  

•    Work extensively with stakeholders including academia to guide resource to support improvements to model physics.  

•    Liaise with external stakeholders such as counterparts in other national Met Services and academic partners to share ideas.  

•    Continue to improve the Atmospheric Processes and Parameterisation function in the Met Office.  

•    Provide excellent people management to the Atmospheric Processes and Parameterisation team.  

•    Effectively manage cost, resources and skills within the team.   

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 Scientific Strategic Head - Atmospheric Processes and Parametrizations, your total reward package will be up to £89,943 annually, which includes: 

•    £64,846 base pay

•    An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%

•    Relocation Assistance may be available

•    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.    A strong relevant scientific or technical background with evidence of your scientific and/or technical outputs significantly advancing the development of environmental prediction capability (expert by nature). 

2.    Excellent leadership skills with the ability to lead teams to deliver scientific output and/or technical capabilities by demonstrating thought leadership and an ability to successfully manage change (live and breathe it).  

3.    Demonstrated ability to work with partners and stakeholders to ensure science and technical delivery is fit for purpose and collaboration is delivering for all partners (better together).  

4.    Evidence of contributing to setting the strategic direction of research and innovation (we keep evolving). 

5.    Excellent communication skills, being proactive and communicating clearly, confidently and with authenticity (force for good).  

6.    Proven ability to forecast, negotiate and control resources to successfully deliver outcomes (we live and breathe it). 

7.    A strong interest in the scientific and technical work required to deliver the work of APP (expert by nature).  

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 11/05/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 27/05/2025.. 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 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. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.