Land Surface Modeller

Salary - £37,405 to £39,694
Hybrid working (50/50)
1-Year Fixed Term Contract and Full-Time (37 hours per week)
We can consider part-time for this role; it would need to be equivalent to 4 full days per week.

We’ll be shortlisting as we go for this role and we reserve the right to close this advert if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

UKCEH is looking for an experienced Land Surface Modeller to join our team of talented individuals, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges. 

Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

As a valued member of our team, you’ll get: 

27 days annual leave, plus 3 days for our Christmas closure

10% employer pension contribution 

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to qualifying requirements) 

24 hour, 365-day access to support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues plus access to our trained Welfare Officers 

Flexible working opportunities 

... 

We’re seeking a Land Surface Modeller to contribute to a portfolio of projects aiming to increase our understanding of the earth’s physical and biogeochemical systems. 

You’ll join a dedicated team of scientists in the Land Surface Science group, based at our Head Office in Wallingford. In your new role, you’ll be utilising computer models and environmental datasets to study how water, energy and carbon move through the land system. In addition to studying how the system has behaved historically and currently, we aim to forecast the future evolution of key systems under climate change and other environmental drivers. 

Our work covers a range of space and time scales, from hourly variations in water and carbon fluxes over a field, to long term trends in river flow across the continents. A key tool is the JULES land surface model which is a world-leading collaboration across UK and international partners.

At UKCEH we develop the scientific representation of processes in JULES and apply it to study local, regional and global impacts. As a valued member of this collaborative and close-knit team, you'll engage in high-profile projects that are central to UKCEH’s mission, such as and . 

Through your work with the JULES model and observational datasets you’ll be developing understanding of impacts and system resilience in the UK and globally, working in collaboration with partners such as the UK Met Office and interdisciplinary teams from across UKCEH.

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. 

Your main responsibilities will include:

Investigating hydrological and other earth system processes, by setting up and performing model simulations

Analysing model outputs and observational datasets, to develop understanding of the natural system

Sharing research findings with colleagues and a variety of audiences, including the international scientific community, and contributing to peer-reviewed papers

For the role of Land Surface Modeller we’re looking for somebody who has:

A PhD in a relevant science area (e.g., Environmental Science, Maths, Physics), or a Master’s degree with equivalent relevant experience

Excellent programming skills in a high-level language (e.g., Python) with experience of using Linux and running numerical models or analyses

Excellent time management skills

Excellent numerical and quantitative skills

Excellent communication skills and the ability to present in meetings with internal and external collaborators

Desirable:

Experience of setting up and running a land surface model, such as JULES

Experience of using HPC environments

Knowledge of land surface and/or atmospheric processes

Interview Process:

If shortlisted for this opportunity, there will be a one stage, 1 hour interview, where a 10-minute presentation will be required. Ideally, we’d like candidates to attend in person at Wallingford, where you’ll benefit from a short tour of our facilities after the interview. Online interviews can also be accommodated.

If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Apply now.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position at this time. 

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