At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and analyse field trials for meteorological instruments, leading a multi-disciplinary team.
- Company: Join the Met Office, a certified Great Place to Work with a focus on environmental impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £58,419, generous annual leave, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working available, fostering inclusivity and collaboration in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in weather prediction and climate science while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree-level background in physical science or engineering with relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 58419 - 58419 £ per year.
Senior Scientist - Surface Observations R&D at the Met Office is a full-time role based in Exeter, United Kingdom. Hybrid working (part in the office, part at home) is available. The location advertised will be your contractual place of work. The role is 37 hours per week, with consideration for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
World changing work
From science to technology, from meteorology to management, 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.
Your world of expertise
Observations are fundamental to almost everything we do at the Met Office. Our network of surface observations measures the atmosphere and feeds data into models used to predict both weather and climate, as well as providing a historical record of the climate. This work helps people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive.
Your key duties
- Designing field trials for meteorological instruments and coordinating a multi-disciplinary team to deliver them.
- Analysing data from these trials and those of others, using code that you will have written to a demanding quality standard.
- Developing software tools and processes that enable the team to work efficiently and effectively.
- Communicating your results and recommendations, including through peer-reviewed publication and working with the international meteorology community.
- Proactively developing your skills and knowledge to stay up-to-date with advancements in meteorological measurements and techniques, including developing deep expertise in key observations.
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 and featured on Best Workplaces in Tech lists in 2023 and 2024, as well as Best Workplaces for Women in 2023.
Remuneration and benefits
Total reward package up to £58,419 annually, including:
- £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 after 5 years, with option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year
Essential Criteria, skills and experience
- A physical science or engineering background equivalent to degree level and several years of relevant experience.
- Experience of leading scientific or engineering tasks to solve a range of scientific or technical challenges, including in unfamiliar areas, with the ability to prioritise between competing activities.
- Experience of communicating technical and scientific knowledge accurately and concisely to technical experts, non-specialist stakeholders and decision-makers.
- Proven ability to mentor and support others to develop their skills, leading to successful project delivery and improved team collaboration.
- Experience of independently designing and writing Python (or similar high-level language) code to produce high-quality analyses of complex environmental datasets.
- Experience of applying, promoting and supporting good quality assurance processes in all aspects of your work.
Desirable Criteria
- Familiarity with running and/or analysing trials of environmental sensors including processing and interpreting the resulting data.
How to apply
If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you! Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend using the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning).
Closing date: 14/09/2025 at 23:59. First stage interviews may occur from late September. You will hear from us after the closing date.
Using AI in your application
We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, see our recruitment approach.
How we can help
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us. If you need adjustments to apply, you can request them within your application or by contacting us. If offered an interview, there may be a selection exercise such as a presentation, a written test or scenario-based activity. You can indicate in your application if you want to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, provided you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Equality and eligibility
We understand that great minds don't always think alike and, as an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from 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. Security clearance is required, and you must 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.
Employment details
- Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
- Employment type: Full-time
- Job function: Science
- Industries: Professional Services
- Location: Exeter, England, United Kingdom
Senior Scientist - Surface Observations R&D employer: Met Office
The Met Office in Devon and Torbay is an outstanding employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation in ocean climate research. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee development, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects while enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits. Join us in making a meaningful contribution to climate science and the future of our planet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist - Surface Observations R&D
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at Met Office, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
Don’t just rely on job boards! Keep an eye on the careers section of the websites of companies like Met Office. Apply directly through their website because sometimes they post jobs there before anywhere else. Plus, it shows your proactive approach!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist - Surface Observations R&D
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Met Office. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Met Office. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Met Office
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Met Office. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Met Office to drive research projects forward.
