Head of Earth System Science and 1.5°C Overshoot Team

About the role

This leadership position guides the scientific strategy for physical climate research, focusing on the implications of 1.5°C overshoot. You will manage a high-performing team to deliver rigorous, policy-relevant analysis that supports vulnerable nations and informs global climate action.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define the scientific agenda regarding climate system responses, emissions pathway assessments, and regional climate projections.
• Oversee quality assurance for research outputs, ensuring methodological transparency and consistency.
• Drive fundraising efforts by securing grants from philanthropic, institutional, and multilateral partners.
• Collaborate with the Impacts, Adaptation and Loss and Damage team to create a unified scientific function.
• Represent the organization at international conferences, media engagements, and policy forums.
• Mentor senior staff and group leads while fostering an inclusive, high-output team culture.
• Translate complex climate data into actionable insights for policy, diplomacy, and implementation teams.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent research background in physical climate science, Earth system science, climate modelling, or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience post-PhD, including significant scientific leadership.
• Proven track record of publications as a senior or lead author.
• Demonstrated success in securing external funding and managing research partnerships.
• Expertise in climate system responses to greenhouse gas forcing and the use of climate emulators.
• Experience operating at the intersection of scientific research and public policy.
• Ability to communicate technical findings to diverse audiences, including policymakers and the media.

Nice to have

• Experience with multi-year grant management.
• Background in supporting Least Developed Countries or Small Island Developing States.

Skills & tools

• Climate emulators such as FAIR, MAGICC, and MESMER.
• Global and regional climate modelling workflows.
• Scientific synthesis and rapid-response analysis techniques.

Practical notes

• Applicants must be prepared to engage in international discourse and maintain scientific integrity under public or media scrutiny.
• The role requires a strong existing network within global climate modelling and research communities.