A Positive and High Performing Workplace
People are at the heart of the National Oceanography Centre. Our success—scientific, operational and organisational—depends on the talent, wellbeing and potential of our people.
We are committed to creating an environment where every colleague can thrive, regardless of background, ability or experience, and where everyone is empowered to contribute meaningfully to our mission: understanding the ocean for the benefit of all life.
Our Commitment to Our People
We provide fair access to opportunities, champion wellbeing, and support career development at every stage of employment. By aligning our people policies and practices with NOC’s strategic priorities, we aim to create a positive, inclusive and high‑performing workplace.
Our People function brings together strategic HR business partnering, specialist centres of expertise, and accessible first‑line support for staff and managers. Together, these services ensure that our people have the guidance, tools and development they need to succeed.
Supporting Health and Wellbeing
A healthy workforce is an engaged and resilient workforce. At NOC, we take a holistic approach to wellbeing, recognising the importance of physical, emotional and psychological health. Our wellbeing offer includes education and access to trusted resources, embedding wellbeing and inclusivity into all people policies, support for healthy lifestyles and preventative wellbeing, a workplace health promotion initiatives.
We also provide a range of tools and support networks, including our Mental Health First Aiders, a confidential 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, and a rich library of self‑help resources.
By embedding these foundations into everyday working life, we continue to make NOC a place where people feel valued, supported and empowered to achieve their best.
Creating One NOC
By investing in our people, embedding strong values and nurturing an inclusive culture, we are building a resilient and future‑ready organisation capable of delivering world‑leading ocean science.
At NOC, every individual plays a vital role—and together, we are shaping a workplace where people can thrive and where our mission can flourish.
Leading the Way in Our Mission
Our experienced and talented leadership team oversee our mission to gain a deeper knowledge of the ocean and lead the way in providing a value for society by steering NOC's science missions and goals.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
Our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DE&I) framework is designed to remove barriers, support employee well-being, and embed DE&I into all aspects of our operations. Our priorities include:
- Fair access to opportunities for all staff, ensuring equity in recruitment, career progression, and leadership development.
- Smart and flexible working practices that improve inclusion, work-life balance, and productivity.
- A structured DE&I framework that drives accountability through dedicated working groups, programmes and initiatives.
- Ongoing engagement with staff with disabilities, ensuring accessibility in recruitment, workplace adjustments, and technology integration.
- An open and inclusive culture, where diversity of thought, background, and expertise strengthens our organisation.
Creating a barrier‑free, inclusive culture also means supporting Staff Network Groups where colleagues with shared lived experiences can come together and shape a sense of belonging.
Want to Work at NOC?
We are a world-leading oceanographic centre employing over 700 people. We provide excellent opportunities for staff from the UK and around the world, and from a range of backgrounds, to collaborate and contribute their experience and ideas to produce the highest quality research.