Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality Scientist

Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality Scientist

We’re looking for an exceptional Atmospheric Dispersion Scientist to help us make a difference to our planet.

As our Atmospheric Dispersion Scientist, 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 30 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a jobshare. 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.

We have 1 x permanent position available with potentially 2 x further temporary positions. The temporary positions are for up to a 12 month period and there is potential for these to develop into a permanent position.

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

You will be part of the Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality (ADAQ) Group, conducting research, model development, application and operational deployment and support related to atmospheric dispersion and air quality hazards. ADAQ develops and operates the Numerical Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME), a world‑class hybrid Lagrangian–Eulerian model that underpins the Met Office’s emergency response capability. NAME is used by the Environmental Monitoring and Response Centre (EMARC) meteorologists and ADAQ scientists to advise stakeholders on the dispersion, deposition, and impacts of hazardous releases, including major fires, nuclear incidents, volcanic eruptions, and disease outbreaks.

• Work in ADAQ is varied and the role may include some or all of the following depending on the skill set of the individual and the work priorities:
• Conducting research and development of the Met Office atmospheric‑dispersion modelling capability.
• Developing enhanced operational response capability in areas such as radiological atmospheric releases, industrial accidents, animal and plant health, and volcanic ash/gas releases to provide targeted decision‑making advice to our customers.
• Conducting model validation and improvement using data from field campaigns and real‑world events.
• Conducting model sensitivity studies to explore the importance and impact of model improvements and the propagation of uncertainty in dispersion forecasts.
• Participating in and developing scientific projects with collaborators in academia and other agencies.
• Disseminating results via academic papers, project reports and oral and poster presentations.

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.

Your total reward package will be up to £49,448 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

• Post graduate experience in a relevant discipline, i.e., physical, environmental, computational or…