In an era of increasing environmental volatility, weather and climate prediction are crucial for national security and global resilience. These capabilities provide the early warning systems required to protect infrastructure and ensure the security of food, water, and energy. This field is being fundamentally re-engineered by Artificial Intelligence; global weather forecasting AI models are now thousands of times faster than traditional numerical prediction and frequently outperform conventional models in both accuracy and efficiency. Developing sovereign AI capabilities in this space is essential to ensure the UK possesses the independent and trusted tools to manage risk and accelerate decision-making.
ROLE PURPOSE
The Environment Forecasting Mission advances AI-enabled forecasting to deliver practical decision intelligence, protecting people and infrastructure from extreme weather, securing the Arctic, and providing operational climate intelligence for global development and adaptation.
1. Weather Forecasting for National Security
Providing critical decision intelligence to anticipate and manage risks from extreme weather, protect people and infrastructure, and support resilient supplies of food, water, and energy. From medium-range to (sub)seasonal weather timescales.
2.Arctic Monitoring and Forecasting for Climate Resilience
Developing advanced coupled atmosphere-ocean-sea ice prediction systems to support safe navigation, safeguard polar communities and ecosystems, and enhance situational awareness to foster resilience across the rapidly changing High North region.
3. Climate Prediction for Global Development and Adaptation
Delivering climate intelligence for the UK and data-sparse and resource constrained regions to support food security, public health, and climate adaptation in low- and middle-income countries. On timescales relevant to business and policy decision making, e.g. from years to decades ahead.
We are seeking either a motivated Senior Research Associate (SRA) or a Research Associate (RA) to join our team in advancing high-priority research at the frontier of AI for modelling the Earth system. Projects that you may work on include but are not limited to;
Fastnet - A collaboration between the Met Office and the Alan Turing Institute to develop the UK’s first national operational AI weather prediction system.
Cumulus - An international collaboration focused on co-developing sub-seasonal weather forecasting to support agricultural decision-making in West Africa, and to reinforce the resilience of global food supply chains.
IceNet - A project that develops a comprehensive, end-to-end forecasting system to advance ocean and sea ice monitoring and prediction. Aims to provide critical decision support for Arctic ship navigation, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) operations, Indigenous communities, and environmental management agencies.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT
The responsibilities below apply across both Research Associate and Senior Research Associate roles. The level of autonomy, leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic contribution expected will increase at Senior Research Associate level.
- Contribute to the delivery of high-quality research projects, supporting the successful achievement of project objectives, outputs, and impact. Senior Research Associates will typically take greater ownership for leading technical, and coordination across projects.
- Contribute to the development of research direction and technical approaches in collaboration with Principal Investigators (PIs) and wider project teams. Senior Research Associates may take a more proactive role in shaping research strategy and identifying opportunities for future work.
- Produce, contribute to, and disseminate high-quality research outputs, including reports, publications, peer-reviewed papers, presentations, and project case studies. Senior Research Associates will typically lead the drafting and coordination of significant written outputs and publications.
- Communicate research findings and project outcomes to a diverse range of stakeholders through conferences, workshops, events, meetings, media opportunities, and other engagement activities as appropriate.
- Support the development of funding proposals, grant applications, and contractual submissions. Senior Research Associates will typically play a leading role in the preparation and coordination of proposals and may contribute to identifying new funding or partnership opportunities.
- Support and contribute to collaborative team working across projects and disciplines. Senior Research Associates may provide supervision, mentoring, and guidance to junior colleagues and support capability development within the team.
ABOUT YOU
- Experience in a relevant area, e.g., machine learning, AI, computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, environmental data science.
- Experience in machine learning, programming
- Experience in modelling of complex physical and/or spatiotemporal systems
- Evidence of high-quality publication(s) in a relevant field commensurate with your career stage
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present complex or technical information, and to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
- Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and in cross collaboration with other teams as required by the role
Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role and person specification.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
If you are interested in this opportunity you will need to register on the careers portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us at [email protected]
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This is a full-time post offered on a permanent basis. The annual salary range is £45,505 - £51,465 for Research Associate level / £57,000 - £58,482 for Senior Research Associate level. Our offers include excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We value diversity of background, experience, and perspective, and are proud to be an inclusive employer. We warmly encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from groups currently under-represented in our sector. If you feel passionate about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, please apply – we recognise that great candidates may bring strengths beyond the criteria listed.
We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us how we can assist you.
Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check. Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].