Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme: Chair of the Science Review Group

The Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme (MOHCCP) is a UK Government funded research initiative that aims to deliver scientific knowledge, expertise, and capability to meet the needs of the UK government and support the UK and global climate science and service communities.  

The UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are seeking a new chair of the Science Review Group (SRG) which provides independent advice to the UK Government on the content, progress, scientific excellence, relevance and impact of the Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme.

At a high level the SRG has three roles: 

• Assessing the extent to which the MOHC Climate Programme undertakes science of the appropriate quality to provide the best advice on climate science to its government customers. 
• Assessing the relevance and impact that the Climate Programme has in providing climate science and services to support UK government policy and wider MOHC activities. 
• Assessing the impact that the Climate Programme has on the wider UK and international community, including its relationship with other research organisations, and the effectiveness of its communication activities.   

This is an exciting opportunity to head an international group of leading experts and directors of research institutes, to help shape a major UK research Programme and ensure it meets Government needs. To note that this is open to both existing members of the SRG and those with no previous experience of the group. Support will be provided to onboard the new chair, particularly if they are new to SRG.

The appointment is for 4 years initially (covering annual meetings and reports from 2024 to 2027 inclusive) with the possibility of extension to a maximum of 8 years. The Terms of Reference for the SRG are available here. 

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• You will be an internationally-recognised expert in a topic (or topics) of climate research relevant to the Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme. 
• You will have a good understanding across the breadth of science covered by the Hadley Centre Climate Programme and ideally a broad understanding of the UK policy landscape, to help provide a balanced view of the entire programme. 
• You will have experience in either directing or reviewing large research programmes, with evidence of assessing both quality and strategic direction. 
• You will have experience of leading groups of peers and working with a variety of stakeholders to deliver clear recommendations and strategic advice that reflects diverse perspectives.
• You will not be an existing member of staff in the Met Office or MOHC.

The role is honorary, however travel and subsistence for attendance at meetings will be provided. The time commitment is of approximately 6-7 days per year, with the majority centred around the annual in-person SRG meeting and report in January.

The responsibilities as the Chair are as follows:

• To lead SRG and work with Government to set its direction and ensure it is providing the best possible advice on the delivery and direction of the HCCP. 
• To represent SRG in the Chief Scientific Adviser led HCCP Programme Board that sets the strategic direction of the Programme and provides views on decisions that involve major changes to its direction or scope (typically two meetings per year).
• Chairing and contributing to the annual three- or four-day January SRG meeting at the Met Office, Exeter, and a half-day virtual meeting in September (including preparation through reading of background papers). The next meeting will take place w/c 20th January 2025.
• Leading the drafting of the yearly SRG report that is delivered in February, coordinating views from all SRG members.
• Being the spokesperson for SRG, agreeing the format and agenda of SRG meetings and liaising with Government and the Met Office when required.

To apply please send both your CV and a short covering letter to [email protected] by 10am on the 21st of October. In your cover letter you should describe your suitability for the role, including your experience in evaluating and setting strategic priorities in your research area, and what you would hope to bring to this role if you were appointed.

CVs will be sifted by an assessment panel and all candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application as soon as possible after that process is completed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview. Interviews are planned to take place at 14:00-16:30 on the 1st November. Please state when submitting your application if this might be a problem.    

Any prospective applicants wanting to find out more about the role can contact Luis Garcia-Carreras ([email protected]) at DESNZ or former SRG chair Ted Shepherd ([email protected]) at the University of Reading.

DESNZ, Defra and FCDO are equal opportunity employers. They do not discriminate or tolerate any form of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.