Research Scientist (Extreme Weather Events)

Emetsoc; Reading; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a motivated Research Scientist to analyse and attribute extreme weather events. This role involves comparing existing approaches to understand how extreme events change in different climates. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in a relevant field, possess strong analytical and programming skills, and will work with influential project partners. An excellent opportunity to contribute to crucial climate research awaits.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in physical or mathematical sciences required.
• Knowledge of climate reanalyses and dynamics of extreme weather events.
• Experience analyzing climate reanalyses or similar datasets.

Responsibilities

• Analyse existing storyline simulations of recent extreme events.
• Examine consistency in estimates for changes in different extreme event types.
• Produce recommendations for future operational attribution.
• Collaborate with project partners and the scientific community.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Programming skills

Communication skills

Education

PhD or equivalent experience in physical or mathematical sciences

Job description

Research Scientist (Extreme Weather Events)

University of Reading, UK
Closing date: 5 January 2026

University of Reading seeks a motivated researcher to analyse attribution storylines of extreme weather events.

Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity, leading to more severe impacts. Understanding how these types of extreme event have already changed, and will change in the near-future, is of critical importance to inform decisions on adaptation.

This project will compare at least two existing storyline approaches to event attribution which are translating recent extreme weather events into different climates to quantitatively describe how those weather events and their impacts would be different in warmer or cooler ‘counter-factual’ worlds.

The post-holder will:

• Analyse existing storyline simulations of recent extreme events produced with the 20 th Century Reanalysis (20CRv3 ) and theDESTIN-E systems
• Examine whether these storyline approaches are producing consistent estimates for how different types of extreme events have changed
• Produce recommendations for which approaches should be adopted for future operational attribution of different extreme event types
• Collaborate with project partners (Met Office, KNMI, ECMWF/C3S) and related projects within the scientific community

You will have:

• or shortly expect to receive, a PhD or equivalent experience in physical or mathematical sciences
• knowledge of climate reanalyses and the dynamics of extreme weather events
• experience of analysing climate reanalyses or similar datasets
• the ability to communicate effectively and to develop and maintain productive collaborations
• excellent analytical, problem solving and programming skills