🚀 Strategic Research Lead Ocean and Climate

Strategic Research Lead Ocean and Climate

Permanent • Full time (37 hours per week)

Location: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton or Liverpool

Official title: Climate Mission Network Lead

Date advert posted: 17 September 2025

We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) – the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. We offer a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems and delivering real-world impact through research, innovation and collaboration.

About the role

This vacancy is for one of two Climate Mission Network Leaders. With expertise in global to local environmental changes and impacts, you will provide strategic direction to a multidisciplinary network, shaping and guiding a coordinated programme of research, innovation, and collaboration. You will:

• Jointly oversee the delivery of NOC’s Climate Mission
• Strengthen cross-functional collaboration across NOC’s teams and programmes to enable delivery
• Develop and grow external partnerships—nationally and internationally
• Represent NOC’s climate work to key stakeholders, funders, and partners
• Ensure delivery of a high-impact portfolio of climate-related projects and programmes, including in your own area of research
• Advise NOC’s Executive Team and Board

You will join a small team of Mission Network Leaders and continue to develop and grow your own internationally significant area of research. Teaching responsibilities are not part of this role, but opportunities to co-supervise graduate students exist within NOC’s broader research and training environment.

About you

A proven researcher with international standing and deep expertise in ocean and/or climate science, you can demonstrate a passion for climate science and a collaborative leadership style that enables teams to deliver excellent research outcomes. You are motivated by the opportunity to shape large-scale scientific missions with real-world impact.

• International standing in ocean and/or climate research, with a strong research track record
• Experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary research projects
• Proven ability to secure and deliver major research funding, including multi-institutional collaborations
• Strong leadership and strategic vision, with experience influencing science and policy at national or international levels
• Excellent relationship-building skills with internal teams and external partners
• A strong portfolio of impactful outputs, including peer-reviewed publications
• Experience contributing to national or international science strategies
• Experience mentoring and developing researchers

Why NOC?

Join a leading centre tackling ocean and climate challenges. You will influence high-impact science and strategic research directions, supported by a collaborative community. Benefits include:

• 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme for mental, physical, emotional, health and financial support
• Flexible benefits portal with online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Social events and a Living Wage Employer

Location

This position can be based in Southampton or Liverpool. Both sites are well connected, with facilities and local amenities described in the original posting. We support hybrid working; most roles offer remote work up to 2 days per week. If you require a more flexible arrangement, please contact the recruitment team.

We can support visa applications where required and may offer relocation assistance where needed.

Submitting an application

Please click ‘Apply for this job’ and submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter. If you are unable to apply online, contact the NOC recruitment team at or . Ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and person specification.

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, skills and experience without regard to protected characteristics. There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria and declare a disability. NOC is an Investors in People organisation.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion – We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds and identities.

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