Associate Director, Foundation Science in UNITED KINGDOM

We are seeking to appoint a strategic leader to be Associate Director of Foundation Science.

Foundation Science at the Met Office is responsible for advancing our world-leading seamless science and modelling capability - the cornerstone of our National Capability in weather and climate science, underpinning the delivery of Met Office products and services.

As Associate Director, this role leads the Foundation Science function, comprising approximately 200 scientists and scientific software engineers within the Science directorate. It is responsible for advancing our seamless modelling systems, especially the Unified Model and the new Momentum® framework, and for the underpinning foundational science required to make these advances. This includes developing better understanding of key physical atmospheric processes, encoding this into state-of-the-art numerical modelling on massively parallel supercomputers, developing the seamless global and regional modelling systems which underpin scientific discovery and services, and investing in the supporting technical infrastructure. Increasingly, the approaches involve the application of data-driven techniques such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning alongside physics-based modelling.

The Met Office has recently attracted significant new investment for future supercomputing, providing exciting opportunities to enhance our predictive capability and deliver new and improved products and services, supporting our purpose of helping people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive.

This post is based in Exeter, with an expectation of two days in person in Exeter, with the remainder of the week based elsewhere or from home. This is a full time role, however applications from part-time workers (minimum of 0.8FTE) are welcomed, including combining with a complementary part-time position at an academic institution, or similar. Job share options can also be considered. We are offering visa sponsorship for this position.

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.

Your world of expertise

As the Associate Director for Foundation Science you will have responsibility for the strategic leadership of Met Office foundation science research, lead the team (comprising approximately 200 staff) and represent the work of Foundation Science to the external scientific community and to Met Office customers and sponsors.

We Keep Evolving - you will be a member of the Science and Technology Senior Leadership Team, supporting the delivery of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy. You will also be a part of the Met Office Extended Leadership Team, supporting the delivery of the corporate strategy, helping the Met Office to realise its vision to be recognised as global leaders in weather and climate science and services in our changing world.

Immediate tasks will be to work with the Executive Director of Science and the Chief of Science and Technology to develop the Foundation Science research programme, considering the transformational role of AI in weather and climate science; to demonstrate the value of the new supercomputer; and to promote the pull-through of Foundation Science into advances in Met Office modelling capabilities.

You will report to the Executive Director of Science and have full delegated authority to act on their behalf in key areas to ensure effective delivery of objectives.

You will:

• Provide strategic scientific leadership of Met Office Foundation Science research, ensuring the Met Office delivers research of the highest international standard to maintain its standing as a world-class centre for weather and climate science and prediction.
• Have accountability for developing and maintaining the strategic plans for implementation of this research to transform our prediction and projection capabilities.
• Operate strategically, leading, developing and implementing the scientific and management strategies necessary to deliver an effective and efficient Met Office Foundation Science capability which meets Met Office and sponsor objectives.
• Inspire, direct and develop the Foundation Science team, developing the workforce strategy and implementation plans to deliver effective and efficient scientific capabilities.
• Lead relationships with partners and stakeholders in the UK and internationally, promoting the capabilities and achievements of the Met Office and ensuring collaboration is beneficial for all partners.
• You will be expected to align to our values: Our values - Met Office

Essential Qualifications, Skills & Abilities

1. A recognised world-class scientist with an international reputation in leading research in a discipline fundamental to the Met Office Research and Innovation strategy, which pulls through into improvements in operational systems, products and services. (We're Experts by Nature)
2. A demonstrable track record in people leadership and managing team performance with an ability to inspire, direct and develop large scientific teams across a broad research and development portfolio, supporting and increasing diversity (We're Better Together)
3. Proven track record in the development and implementation of strategic research plans, with demonstrable impact at the highest level. (We Keep Evolving)
4. Ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders at national and international level.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills - you will be an outstanding communicator, with an ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to a wide range of audiences.

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK 2023' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.

As our Associate Director - Foundation Science, your total reward package will be up to £103,000 annually, which includes:

• £72,500 base pay, rising to £79,500 over time
• An outstanding Civil Service pension
• A discretionary performance related bonus
• 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
• Relocation Assistance may be available.

How to apply

If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you. Apply by attaching your your CV to your profile and adding your supporting statement with evidence against each of the essential criteria within the application form. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.

Closing date Sunday 14th July at 23:59. You can expect to receive an update on your application on or around 19th July, after the sift has taken place. Interviews will be taking place weeks commencing 29th July and 5th August.

If successful, please note we are unable to offer expenses for travel to your normal place of work. Please ask at interview if you would like extra clarity on how often this requirement is likely to be.

How we can help:

If you are considering applying and need assistance to do so, please contact us via . You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity.

You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident (Guaranteed Interview) Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.

We are an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.