Foundation Scientist - Surface Observations R&D

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Job Reference metoffice/TP/467/1170

Permanent

Working Hours:

37

Location (City/Town):

Exeter

Closing Date:

02/03/2026

Profession:

Science

Region / Division:

UK Region

Careers website category:

Science

We’re looking for a
Foundation Scientist
to join Surface Observations R&D to help us make a difference to our planet.

As our Foundation Scientist in Surface Observations R&D,you will work a hybrid pattern and will be on site at Exeter HQ on average three days per week. You can choose to work more frequently in our state-of-the-art office if you'd prefer.

You may also be required to travel to other parts of the UK to support field trials, necessitating up to a few days away from home occasionally.

Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 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’reexperts 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’rebetter together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make usgreater
• We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

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 helps people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive.

You will join our team of five scientists and engineers within Surface Systems R&D. This is part of the wider Observations R&D area made up of around 40 scientists, engineers and scientific software engineers at different points in their careers, with a range of backgrounds and different academic/career experiences.

You will work closely with installation and field engineers as well as those operating the surface observations networks to support the scientific technical development of the surface observations that contribute to our National Capability and ensure they are fit for purpose now and in the future .

• Designing and running field trials, possibly in different locations around the UK.
• Working with research engineers to make your experiment design a reality.
• Analysing the data from your experiments, and those of others, using code that you will have written to a demanding quality standard.
• Making clear recommendations based on the results and successfully communicating them to others.
• Troubleshooting problems with instrument hardware and software.

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, 2024 and 2025 lists, as well as their’54 Best Workplaces for Women’2023 list.

As our Foundation Scientist - Surface Observations R&D, your total reward package will be up to £40,524 annually, which includes:

• 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:

• Experience in a field with significant physical science, engineering or mathematical content. This could be obtained through working in a relevant area, or an undergraduate degree. (Expert…