Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Earth System Modelling

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Earth System Modelling (3 year role)

University of Leeds

Established in 1904, the University of Leeds is one of the largest universities in the UK. We’re part of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities and are renowned globally for the quality of our research and teaching.

This role is based at the Met Office, Exeter.

• Climate:
  Past, Present & Future (CL)
• Cryospheric Sciences (CR)
• Ocean Sciences (OS)

Type

Contract

Level

Experienced

Preferred education

PhD

26 February 2026

Posted

6 February 2026

Salary:
Grade 7 (£41,064 – £48,822 p.a., depending on experience) - 3 year role

Are you passionate about tackling one of the most pressing scientific challenges of our time?
Do you want to use your expertise to understand the risks, consequences, and early‑warning signals of abrupt climate change?
Would you like to contribute to the development of the next generation of the UK’s global climate and Earth system models?

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the UKESM team as part of PROMOTE (Progressing Earth System Modelling for Tipping Point Early Warning Systems), a major ARIA‑funded, multi‑centre research initiative.

You will become a key member of the UKESM core team
, working at the forefront of climate science to develop, test, and apply a new hybrid‑resolution version of the UK’s Earth System Model,
UKESM2
.

Your research will focus on understanding abrupt changes in two critical components of the climate system:

• The North Atlantic subpolar gyre (SPG)
• The Greenland ice sheet

Using advanced, high‑resolution Earth system modelling tools, you will investigate how these systems may interact, evolve and potentially undergo rapid transitions. The modelling system you help create may ultimately support early‑warning capabilities for significant climate tipping points.

🌍 Be part of a multidisciplinary team driving real climate insight.