Climate scientist
Climate scientists study the influences on the Earth's climate over time and how these might affect it in the future.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £25,609 - £55,000
Typical hours (a week): 37 - 42
How to become a climate scientist
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
University
You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:
- environmental science
- geography
- physics
- maths and statistics
- oceanography
- meteorology and climate science
- computer science
University (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Volunteering & Experience
You could get work experience through an internship or work placement. This would give you an insight into the different types of work you can do as a climate scientist.
More info
Career tips You can get information about global climate conditions through NASA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
What it takes
Skills & Knowledge
You'll need:
- 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
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
What you'll do
Day to day
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- gathering and analysing data from the atmosphere, oceans and land
- creating computer models to simulate the effects of changes to climate
- designing and building scientific instruments and sensors
- studying past climates to understand what might happen in the future
- monitoring ice packs, sea levels and temperatures
- looking at how global climate affects regional weather patterns
- attending conferences and publishing research findings
- investigating ways to tackle climate change
- advising policy makers
- teaching
Working environment
You could work in a laboratory or at a university. Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Career path and progression
Career path & progression
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 previous 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.
