Climate scientist

Career path and 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 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.

What it takes

Skills and 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

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Environmental Science - Climate scientists study how the Earth's environment is changing, including shifts in ecosystems, pollution levels, and natural cycles. Environmental science provides the foundation for understanding how human activity and natural processes interact to drive climate change.
• Geography - Climate scientists need to understand how physical processes like ocean currents, atmospheric circulation, and ice sheet dynamics vary across the globe. Geography also helps them analyse how climate change affects different regions, from rising sea levels in coastal areas to changing rainfall patterns inland.
• Physics - Climate scientists rely on physics to understand how energy moves through the atmosphere, how greenhouse gases trap heat, and how ocean and air currents behave. Concepts like radiation, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics are central to building accurate climate models.
• Mathematics - Climate scientists use statistics to analyse vast datasets from satellites, weather stations, and ocean sensors, and to identify trends over time. They also use advanced maths to build and refine computer simulations that predict how the climate will change in the future.
• Computer Science - Climate scientists create complex computer models that simulate the Earth's climate system, requiring skills in programming and working with large datasets. Writing and adapting code – for example in Python or Fortran – is a routine part of processing data and running simulations.

Also relevant

• Chemistry - Climate scientists need to understand chemical processes in the atmosphere, such as how carbon dioxide and methane contribute to the greenhouse effect. Knowledge of chemistry also helps when studying ocean acidification and the chemical composition of ice cores from past climates.
• Geology - Climate scientists study past climates – sometimes going back millions of years – by examining rock layers, ice cores, and fossil records. Geology provides the tools to interpret these ancient records and understand how the Earth's climate has shifted over geological time.
• Biology - Climate scientists look at how changing temperatures, sea levels, and weather patterns affect ecosystems and biodiversity. Understanding how living organisms respond to environmental stress helps them assess the wider impact of climate change on the natural world.
• Politics - Climate scientists often advise governments and international bodies on climate policy, from carbon reduction targets to adaptation strategies. Understanding how political decisions are made helps them communicate their findings in ways that can influence real-world action.