Lead Environmental Risk Modeller

Role:Lead Environmental Risk Modeller

Reporting into:VP Model Development

Salary:£65,000 - 85,000

Risilience is seeking to employ a Lead Environmental Risk Modeller to join us in our mission to help businesses manage environmental risks and climate change – the two biggest systemic threats facing the environment, the economy and society.

We have developed a unique modelling and analytics platform, founded on more than a decade of influential frameworks pioneered by Risilience’s founders at the Centre for Risk Studies at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, to help international corporations assess and navigate the risks and opportunities presented by the transition to a low-carbon, nature-positive economy.

Our SaaS solutions help companies produce climate- and nature-related analytics to navigate their pathway to net zero and more sustainable business practices, through science-based cost benefit comparisons of environmental impacts and emission reduction strategies versus their risks.

The Risilience client base comprises a growing list of globally recognized brands, including Nestlé, Burberry and Reckitt. The pedigree of our solutions is supported by our deep academic and science-based roots and the close ties we maintain to the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies.

Our business is now three years old, having received Series B funding at the start of 2023. Benefits include competitive basic salary, bonus, pension, flexible working, and a commitment to staff diversity.

Our Values

We start with the facts

We grasp the facts first and give opinions second to make positive moves that matter.

We are insights-driven; understanding our customers’ challenges to meet their needs and inform company strategy.

We lead with integrity

We show respect for others in every interaction.

Professionalism is about ownership: we take responsibility and do what we say we will.

We are curious challengers

Complex problems don’t scare us – they fuel us.

We collaborate and innovate to remove complexity and enable positive transformation for ourselves and our clients.

We win together

We value every voice equally, embracing differences in background, expertise and experience.

We leave our egos at the door, lift each other up and align our direction of travel.

Role Details

We’re looking for a senior quantitative modeller to lead the development of nature and climate modelling efforts. The successful candidate will be responsible for determining the technical direction of our models and providing innovative solutions to quantify a company’s impacts and dependencies on climate and nature. In this role you’ll work alongside our talented team of modellers, economists, data scientists, and software engineers, as well as the wider company and client base.

It’s a great opportunity for an ambitious individual looking to join a rapidly expanding company and to work on innovative and leading analytics. You will have the opportunity to work with some of the largest and most ambitious corporations.

In this role you will be expected to:

• Drive the technical areas of the model development agenda for assessing the physical risks from climate change and nature.
• Build and analyze geospatial data layers.
• Develop models using novel techniques to assess risks from climate change and nature, distilling these complex scientific concepts into quantified climate and nature-related financial impacts relevant to business.
• Scope model development plans that are actionable and communicate strategic project aims and operational objectives, including project planning and resource requirements.
• Deliver compelling analytics and insights that are business relevant.
• Act as point of contact for nature and climate related risks and opportunities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, physics, engineering or equivalent.
• Demonstratable relevant experience post-graduation
• In-depth knowledge of mathematical modelling methods such as, statistics, geo-spatial analysis, probability and their application to real world problems.
• Proficiency with scientific programming languages such as Python (preferred), R and MatLab.
• Experience using relevant large climate and environmental datasets, for example CMIP6, SSPs and/or nature data layers.
• Ability to research complex topics and determine creative ways to turn information and data into models and actionable insights.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to translate complex scientific concepts to various audiences
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage concurrent goals, and work closely with a diverse team of scientists and engineers.
• Delivery of environmental or sustainability-related projects to the corporate sector.

Desirable Skills

• Postdoctoral research experience in a relevant field.
• Relevant experience in model development (e.g. natural catastrophe modelling, risk quantification).
• Manipulation, analysis and visualization of geospatial datasets.
• Knowledge and expertise across different domain areas, for example in natural sciences, agronomy, or environmental economics
• Experience quantifying the economic impact of climate and nature related risks to help businesses or governments enable decision making.
• Experience working across different project management processes including waterfall and agile development frameworks.

Diversity and Inclusion

Risilience is committed to a proactive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture and values diversity. Entry into employment is determined by personal merit and by the application of criteria required for the post. No applicant for an appointment or member of staff will be treated less favorably than another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, color, disability (including HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.

Information if you have a Disability

Risilience welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and is committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. Adjustments will be made, wherever reasonable to do so, to enable applicants to compete to the best of their ability and, if successful, to assist them during their employment.