Atmospheric Research Lead

About The Role

The Lead Atmospheric Scientist will join Aon’s View of Risk Advisory team, leading impactful natural catastrophe research and model evaluation projects with significant commercial implications for clients. You will be a subject-matter expert in atmospheric science, driving the evaluation and improvement of catastrophe models for atmospheric and meteorological perils (e.g. tropical / extratropical cyclone, severe convective storm). This is an office-based role (with flexibility in line with Aon’s Smart Working principles).

Aon is in the business of better decisions. At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. As an organisation, we are united through trust as one inclusive team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

• Lead atmospheric catastrophe model research, evaluation and benchmarking
• Design tests and validate components of catastrophe models for atmospheric perils, including event sets, hazard modules and vulnerability/impact frameworks.
• Evaluate third-party vendor models and in-house tools for atmospheric perils, comparing methodologies, data usage and performance.
• Conduct back-testing and event reconstructions for historical and emerging perils, including climate change–related stress tests and scenario development.
• Incorporate the latest meteorological and climate science research, observational datasets and reanalysis products into model evaluation.
• Develop and test model adjustments and alternative views of risk to align with Aon’s independent view of risk and client-specific needs.

• Collaborate closely with catastrophe model users, actuaries, brokers and analytics teams to ensure models are fit for purpose in underwriting, portfolio management and pricing workflows.
• Interpret and translate model outputs into clear risk metrics and narratives for both technical and non-technical collaborators.
• Provide expert guidance on model limitations, uncertainty and assumptions, and how these should be incorporated into decision-making.

• Present technical findings and strategic implications in a clear, concise manner to clients, internal teams and senior leadership.
• Participate in client meetings, RFPs and workshops as a lead atmospheric science expert.
• Build and maintain industry and academic partnerships to enhance data sources, modelling capabilities and perspectives on emerging risk.

• Take a lead role in shaping the atmospheric risk agenda within the View of Risk Advisory team.
• Provide technical leadership on projects and, as appropriate, oversee and mentor junior scientists and analysts.
• Contribute to and sometimes lead cross-disciplinary initiatives (e.g., climate change, emerging perils, portfolio stress testing).

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Climate Science or a closely related field is required.
• PhD or equivalent experience strongly preferred, ideally with research focused on extreme weather, large-scale atmospheric dynamics, climate extremes, or related topics relevant to catastrophe risk.

Experience

• Significant experience (typically 5+ years) in catastrophe modelling or closely related quantitative risk roles within:
• the reinsurance/insurance industry,
• catastrophe modelling firms,
• or applied meteorology/climate research environments with a strong modelling component.
• Demonstrated model development experience for atmospheric catastrophe risk models, such as:
• storm track and intensity modelling,
• hazard field generation (wind, rainfall, surge, hail, etc.),
• statistical or physical–statistical event simulation,
• climate-conditioned or non-stationary hazard modelling.
• Strong plus:
  Experience as a user of catastrophe models (e.g., pricing, portfolio management, risk aggregation, capital modelling), with a track record of applying model outputs to real-world insurance/reinsurance decisions.
• Experience in the London market or global (re) insurance hubs is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in SQL for…