Scientific Software Engineer in Earth System Modelling

European Geosciences Union; Exeter; On-site; GBP 41,000 - GBP 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental research organization is seeking a Scientific Software Engineer to improve climate and Earth system models. Based in Exeter, this role involves developing hybrid-resolution models and supporting high-resolution climate simulations. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team to investigate climate tipping points and contribute to early-warning systems for abrupt changes. This is a contract position with a salary range of £41,064 to £48,822 annually.

Qualifications

• Experience with Earth system modeling and climate science.
• Strong programming skills in relevant languages.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize new hybrid-resolution configurations of the UK's Earth system model.
• Improve model performance and scalability.
• Support high-resolution simulations exploring climate tipping points.

Skills

Programming expertise

Software engineering

Climate modeling

Analytical skills

Job description

Overview

Scientific Software Engineer in Earth System Modelling

Location: Met Office, Exeter (employed through the University of Leeds)

Salary: Grade 7 (£41,064 – £48,822 p.a., depending on experience) - 3 year role

Type: Contract • Level: Experienced

Posted: 6 February 2026 • Close date: 26 February 2026

Role

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

Would you like to contribute to the development of the next generation of the UK’s global climate and Earth system models?

About the Project

We are seeking a talented Scientific Software Engineer (SSE) to join the UKESM team as part of PROMOTE (Progressing Earth System Modelling for Tipping Point Early Warning Systems), an ARIA‑funded, multi‑centre research project.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will join the UKESM team, contributing to:

• Development and optimisation of a new hybrid‑resolution configuration of the UK’s Earth system model, UKESM2
• Improving the model’s performance, scalability, and scientific capabilities
• Supporting high‑resolution simulations that explore climate tipping points

A central scientific goal of PROMOTE is to investigate the risks, impacts, and potential interactions between abrupt changes in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre (SPG) and the Greenland ice sheet. The high‑resolution modelling tools you help build may ultimately support early‑warning systems for abrupt climate shifts.

Be part of it

🌍 Be part of a multidisciplinary team driving real climate insight.