Climate scientist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course.

University

You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject like:

• environmental science or ecology
• geography, earth sciences or geology
• physics
• maths and statistics
• oceanography or marine science
• meteorology and climate science
• computer science

Work experience

You can get work experience through internships, placements or a year in industry during your course. This may help you to identify your area of interest for research.

For example, the Met Office runs both summer placement and year in industry schemes.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• maths knowledge
• knowledge of geography
• knowledge of physics
• excellent verbal communication skills
• science skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to read English
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of English language
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to learn through your work
• active listening skills
• knowledge of media production and communication
• persistence and determination
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Climate scientists study changes in the Earth's climate over time and how they might affect the planet in the future.

You could:

• gather and analyse data from the atmosphere, oceans and land
• create computer models to simulate the effects of climate change
• design and build scientific instruments and sensors
• study past climates to understand what might happen in the future
• monitor ice, sea levels and temperatures
• look at how global climate affects regional weather
• attend conferences and publish research findings
• investigate ways to tackle climate change
• advise policy makers
• teach or lecture in education

Location : You could work in a laboratory, at a university or visit sites.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Salary:

Starter : £15,609
Experienced : £55,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

You could specialise in an area of climate science, for example polar research, rainfall patterns or ocean changes. You might do this through research and teaching at a university or by working for a government department.

You could also work as a palaeoclimatologist, studying historic variations in climate and how the Earth adapted to these.

Other career options include working as a consultant for science publishers or broadcasters.

You may be able to apply for chartered environmentalist status. You can find out more about being a chartered environmentalist from the Society for the Environment .