Job Description
We're looking for an exceptional
Applied Scientist, Defence Applications
to help us make a difference to our customers.
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 consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and we will also try our best to accommodate 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 forecasting, seasonal 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
This is an exciting opportunity for three individuals who have a relevant scientific background and who are passionate about the transformation of their expertise into products & services that benefit our customers. UK Applied Science serves a range of customers and performs research that spans weather and climate timeframes. In this role you will undertake scientific analyses and developments to provide insight and wide-ranging support to our customers' decision making. A likely initial focus is the Arctic domain, including both military and civilian applications.
The work we undertake in UK Applied Science is diverse, and depending on your skills you could be:
Conducting trials, analysing data and developing algorithms that model the performance of acoustic, electro-optic and radio-frequency systems
Working with international partners to develop products and services that support military and civilian operations in the Arctic
Exploring the effects of the climate - and how it is changing - on defence planning and operations
Developing tools and support for uncrewed and autonomous vehicles.
Whatever the project, you'll work closely with our customers and alongside a range of science and technology teams across the Met Office and beyond to create real work impact.
Your key duties
Developing and applying suitable techniques for analysing and quantifying the impacts and associated risks of weather and/or 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; developing and applying those capabilities to address identified customer/stakeholder requirements.
Contributing to the production of project reports for customers/stakeholders and the publication of scientific papers based on the project outputs (as applicable).
Representing the Met Office at customer/stakeholder meetings, scientific conferences, seminars etc. where the application of Met Office science (both weather and climate) need to be presented and discussed.
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 Applied Scientist, your total reward package will be up to £46,974 annually, which includes:
£33,794 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:
You are an expert by nature, with post graduate level proficiency in a relevant numerate discipline (e.g. Physics, Mathematics) or equivalent professional experience and a demonstrated ability to apply scientific knowledge and methods to real world problems.
Good organisational skills, with an ability to contribute significantly to high-quality scientific output while meeting tight deadlines, planning and organising own work as required.
Good interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated understanding of how to listen actively, discuss diverse user needs, and propose appropriate and innovative solutions.
Good oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific and/or technical information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to (a) develop software applications for data processing and visualisation, and (b) use object-orientated programming languages (preferably Python) for developing analytical and scientific methods.
Desirable Criteria:
We encourage you to apply if you believe you meet our essential criteria, but we're also keen to discover if you have:
Experience working with or demonstrated interest in the defence sector
Experience contributing to the development of software applications and use of version control tools (e.g. GitHub).
How to apply
If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you - click apply below to begin your application. Please provide 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 28/06/2024 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 8/07/24. 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 . 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 and may be asked to apply for enhanced clearance as dictated by business needs.
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