Mesoscale Modelling Research Scientist
Salary: Starting £25,500 and for exceptional candidates up to £29,100 or £29,930 and for exceptional candidates up to £35,040 + competitive benefits, including Civil Service Pension
Generic role: Scientist
Profession: Science and Engineering
Permanent, Full time at Met Office@Reading
Closing date for applications: 26 October 2012
Background information
MetOffice@Reading consists of approximately 25 Met Office scientists based in the world renowned Reading University Department of Meteorology. The Reading unit is part of the Met Office Academic Partnership and its purpose is to enable collaborative work with University researchers. The Mesoscale Modelling Research Group is part of the Atmospheric Processes and Parameterisations section of the Met Office (the rest of which is in Exeter) and also works closely with the MetOffice@Reading Advanced Nowcasting group. The group carries out work on various aspects of km - 100m scale short range versions of the Unified Model in collaboration with both university scientists and Met Office scientists in Exeter. Current foci of work in the group include representation of convection, predictability and ensembles and urban meteorology.
Specific job purpose
To carry out collaborative research into high resolution versions of the Unified Model and their applications.
Specific job responsibilities
- To carry out research and development on the formulation, performance and applications of high resolution models to deliver agreed project outputs which improve Met Office systems, products or advice for the benefit of customers.
- To design and implement experiments using the Unified Model/suites along with other software systems as required in order to carry out agreed research.
- To carry out collaborative work with university colleagues.
- To contribute to the presentation and publication/documentation of their team's work in order to communicate advice and/or maintain our scientific/technical capability and integrity and/or to promote our reputation.
- To contribute to the writing of their job plan to support the research and development programme.
- To provide scientific/technical advice to other team members on some work aspects to improve the effectiveness of the team.
Qualifications, skills and abilities required
Essential
- Scientist: A PhD in Mathematics or a physical science or equivalent research experience
Senior Scientist: Evidence of significant relevant postdoctoral level experience with a good meteorological publications record. - Proven ability at conducting research, displaying the necessary scientific insight, independence and analytical skills.
- Computing skills: Experience of programming to solve scientific problems and/or carry out data analysis.
- Proven ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing. Ability to tailor communications to take into account the needs and knowledge of the intended audience.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a team.
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of atmospheric science, preferably mesoscale meteorology.
- Experience of atmospheric models, ideally km scale NWP models.
- Experience of Fortran, Unix ,IDL and python.
Additional supplementary information
This post will be based in MetOffice@Reading which is located at Reading University. The post will require some travel to the Met Office HQ in Exeter (mostly day trips but occasional longer stays, e.g. for training courses and workshops).
The postholder will have the opportunity to become involved in various university projects including field programs and will have access to numerous research groups, seminars etc in the Reading University Meteorology Department.
In the longer term the post holder may have the opportunity to develop their career further by transferring to the Met Office HQ in Exeter.
If the successful candidate is currently in a role within the Met Office Scientific Framework, they will ordinarily remain in the role to which they are currently mapped.
Application forms and further information
Please mark your request or returned application form: Mesoscale Modelling Research Scientist 002552 R
Please complete this form (using Adobe Reader 9 or above). You can save the form part-way through and return to it later, using the Adobe Reader toolbar. Once you are happy with it submit it using the button at the end of the form. Alternatively, print the form out, complete by hand, and return by post.
If you require a Microsoft Word version of the application form, please email HREnquiries@metoffice.gov.ukincluding the words 'application request' in the subject line. An automatic email will be returned to you immediately. If you have not received an email within 48 hours then please contact us.
Alternatively, you can call or write to:
HR Customer Services
Met Office
FitzRoy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB
Met Office
FitzRoy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB
Tel: 01392 885000
We are unable to reply to each applicant individually. If you have had no response from us within four weeks of the closing date please assume you have been unsuccessful. If you meet the sift criteria but have applied more than three times for the same or similar job within the last two years, it will be up to the recruiting manager's discretion whether to offer you an interview.
Nationality and residency requirements
All successful applicants offered conditional employment at the Met Office are required to undertake national security vetting. Usually successful applicants can start after satisfactory initial security vetting (whilst full national security vetting is undertaken), but for a small number of posts a higher level of vetting is needed. If you do not have five years' continuous UK residency this may take longer and we may have to reconsider your application if there are delays in the security procedure.
Please note that nationality and residency restrictions of this kind are common with all UK Civil Service departments and Executive Agencies. For further guidance see the UK Border Agency's Working in the UK website.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants
To widen the pool of candidates we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the published minimum criteria for the job.
To qualify for a guaranteed interview, you do not have to be registered as a disabled person but you must have a disability or long-term health condition that puts you at a substantial disadvantage in either obtaining or keeping employment. The disability must be likely to last for at least 12 months.
To apply for a guaranteed interview, please complete the appropriate section of the application form. When appropriate, you should provide details of any particular arrangements you will require for the interview, e.g. car parking, speech facilitator.
Any false declaration of disability to obtain an interview may invalidate any resultant contract of employment.
Priority status for staff in the Civil Service Surplus Talent Pool
If you are an existing Civil Servant and have applied through the CS Vacs website, your application will be given priority status, in that your application will be assessed for suitability before other applications are entertained. Surplus staff should provide a letter from their HR department confirming this status and attach it to their application form.
Civil Service Recruitment Principles
The Met Office's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the HREnquiries@metoffice.gov.uk mailbox or telephone 01392 885000 in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Met Office, contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.
Commitment to diversity
The Met Office values diversity and recruits on merit.
Benefits and facilities
Employees can join the Civil Service Pension Scheme called 'Nuvos', a defined benefit scheme which both you and the Met Office contribute to. You also have the option to join a partnership scheme where the employer can contribute and you can contribute if you wish. For more details please see the Civil Service Pensions website .
- Annual Leave allowance of 25 days (plus 8 days public holiday and 2½ privilege days taken at fixed times during the year).
- Training opportunities, performance-related pay and access to the Met Office sports and social club.
- The potential to work in different areas within the same organisation, but note that employees are expected to complete 24 months in post before applying for alternative posts within the Met Office.
Starting salaries
The pay range is stated at the top of the job description. Entry to the Met Office is normally at the pay range minimum.
Relocation
Unless stated in the job advert and job description, financial support is not available for candidates to move to the job location.
Payment of interview expenses
Candidates invited for interview will only be paid expenses if stated in the invite to interview letter.
Mobility
Appointed staff will normally have a full mobility clause written into their employment contract. A small number of roles have a limited mobility obligation.
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