Scientific Software Engineer in Earth system modelling; Jones NCAS

Scientific Software Engineer in Earth System Modelling

Scientific Software Engineer in Earth System Modelling

Location:
Met Office, Exeter (with scope for hybrid working)

Are you keen to apply your expertise in programming to improve our ability to understand and predict the major risks associated with global climate change?

Would you like to work in a team developing the next generation of the UK global climate and Earth system models?

We seek a scientific software engineer (SSE) to work within the ARIA-funded, multi‑centre project PROMOTE (Progressing Earth System Modelling for Tipping Point Early Warning Systems). The successful candidate will join the UKESM core team, contributing to the development and optimisation of a new hybrid‑resolution version of the 2nd UK Earth system model (UKESM2). The key aim of PROMOTE is to develop and apply a high‑resolution ESM to investigate the risks, consequences, and potential interactions between abrupt changes in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre (SPG) and the Greenland ice sheet.

The resulting modelling system may act as an early‑warning system for abrupt change in both phenomena.

PROMOTE consists of 7 partner institutes: the universities of Leeds, Reading, Edinburgh and Bristol, as well as the Met Office, the National Oceanography Centre, and the British Antarctic Survey. Staff at Leeds and Reading are also members of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS). The successful candidate will be fully integrated into this consortium, as well as becoming a member of the UKESM core development team.

To increase integration with the UKESM team, while this is a University of Leeds position, the successful candidate will be physically based at the Met Office in Exeter, where the bulk of the UKESM team are located.

Please note:

If you are not a British or Irish citizen, from 1 January 2021 you will require permission to work in the UK. This will normally be in the form of a visa but, if you are an EEA/Swiss citizen and resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, this may be your passport or status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

As the candidate will be based at the Met Office building in Exeter, they will need to go through Met Office security clearance.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Professor Colin Jones, Head of UK Earth System Modelling, Professor Colin Jones | School of Earth and Environment | University of Leeds

• Faculty of Environment
• Grade:
  Grade 7
• Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum
• Working Time: 100%
• Post Type:
  Full Time
• Contract Type:
  Fixed Term (3 years to complete specific time limited work)
• Release Date:
  Thursday 05 February 2026
• Closing Date:
  Thursday 26 February 2026
• Reference: ENVEE
  1860

Downloads:
Candidate Brief (PDF)