Science Engagement Officer

We are looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable weather and climate scientist to join us at The Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) as the Science Engagement Officer.

This is an exciting career opportunity for an individual who is keen to use their skills and knowledge to make a positive impact and advance the understanding of weather and climate in society through informal education. In this role, you will provide scientific support across science engagement project development, delivery and wider RMetS team operations. Reporting to the Science Engagement Manager, you will have responsibility for developing training materials and co-delivering sessions for our climate change communication training, and you will deliver RMetS early career initiatives such as our career events. You will also create engaging content for various RMetS activities and stakeholders, and work with the media to enhance public awareness of weather and climate.

If you have a passion for weather and climate science coupled with a relevant PhD or Master’s degree with industry experience, this could be the perfect role for you.

What you will do in the role:

• Develop training materials and co-deliver sessions for our RMetS training programme, including climate change communication training.
• Deliver youth and early career activities including events, training, the RMetS mentoring scheme, publishing and membership initiatives.
• Support RMetS career activities, producing career guidance, booklets and running workshops.
• Work alongside the RMetS Membership and Accreditation Manager to develop and maintain the Student Ambassador Scheme.
• Generate content across RMetS activities including scientific publishing, events, special projects and COP/IPCC initiatives.
• Support increasing opportunities for engagement with the media, deliver regular interviews, and work on activities to improve the communication of academic research into mainstream media.
• Design and deliver public engagement activities, e.g. Weather Photographer of the Year touring exhibition, citizen science projects, and outreach training.
• Work with the RMetS Science Engagement Fellows on Insurance Special Interest Group and Energy Special Interest Group sector-specific projects and their associated outputs.
• Support ad hoc formal education initiatives.

Essential criteria you will need to demonstrate:

• A background in weather and climate, either through: a PhD in a scientific field relevant to weather and climate; OR a Master’s degree within a scientific field relevant to weather and climate, with a minimum of three subsequent years working in industry.
• Extensive knowledge across weather and climate, and evidence of involvement in activities to ensure ongoing current knowledge across diverse areas.
• Experience in communicating scientific concepts and information to a different range of stakeholders (for example policy makers, the wider scientific and social science community, or the general public).
• A friendly and open-minded approach, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a small team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to prepare documentation for outside stakeholders and willing to communicate with the media.
• A people person who has the confidence to proactively reach out to and communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage time effectively, balance multiple projects with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to think creatively, be innovative and embrace new ideas and ways of working.

Desirable skills

• Experience and keenness in public engagement and science engagement activities to a variety of audiences.

What you can expect when you work for the Royal Meteorological Society 

• Hybrid working, 2 days per week at home and 3 days per week at the RMetS Headquarters in Reading (Tuesday to Thursday).  
• Permanent, full-time role (37.5 hours per week), with options to consider flexible working.  
• 25 days holiday per year in addition to 8 public holidays and an extra day off on your birthday. 
• 10% employer pension contributions. 
• Private healthcare.

If you would like to grow in this challenging and exciting Science Engagement Officer position, working in a well-respected and internationally renowned charitable organisation with Royal charter, we would love to hear from you. For more information about us, please visit our website.

Recruitment information and timetable 

• The deadline for applications is Friday 14th March 2025.   
• To apply please click the link and apply through CharityJobs, with a full CV and detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the essential criteria for this role.
• Interviews are expected to take place once the deadline for applications has closed with some flexibility for interview times outside of core working hours.
• The Royal Meteorological Society values diversity of background and perspective and is committed to treating all people equally and with respect irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We value diversity of background and perspective.
• We are particularly committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. As part of this commitment, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role they have applied for and we will proactively consider all reasonable adjustments to facilitate employment with us. If you wish to apply under this scheme, please indicate this in your covering letter.