Location: UK: London
Opportunity: 6-month returnship – Cat Risk Researcher (Catastrophe Modelling)
Start date: 11 May 2026
Apply by: 2 March 2026
Looking to ignite your career comeback in a global organisation with an unparalleled culture? If so, we want to hear from you.
Markel is a global specialty insurance provider with a truly people-first approach. We have the tools, knowledge, and experience to offer our clients unique solutions across a wide variety of risks. We have our own trusted Lloyd’s syndicate but can also underwrite risks through our other Markel companies, depending on where our clients are in the world. We have specialists across the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, Indonesia, The Middle East, and North America.
But it’s our people and the relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients that makes us so unique.
And so, because we understand the value of diverse perspectives and experiences, we’re looking for talented professionals who want to reignite their careers as part of our involvement in the Insurance Cross-Company Returner Programme 2026 | Career Returners.
About the Programme
The programme offers a professionally paid placement of 6 months, from May to November 2026
There will be a strong likelihood of a permanent role at the end of the fixed term contract.
You will benefit from Career Returners’ Coaching Programme throughout your time on the programme.
To support your transition back into the workplace, you will receive an internal mentor and a buddy for your day-to-day questions.
As part of the cross-company programme, you will have a ready-made peer support group of other returners re-entering the insurance sector.
We are willing to accept flexible working requests.
The opportunity
As a Catastrophe Risk Researcher within our International Portfolio Analytics (IPA) team, you’ll play a key role in shaping Markel International’s view of risk. You’ll lead projects to evaluate and validate catastrophe models, ensuring our methodologies remain robust, forward-looking, and aligned with industry best practice. Working closely with senior leaders and technical experts, you’ll help deliver insights that support informed underwriting decisions and strong risk management across the business.
Duties and responsibilities:
Explore opportunities to strengthen our risk view and modelling practices, including:
Working closely with leadership to shape Markel International’s catastrophe risk strategy.
Leading projects to evaluate and validate models and methodologies, including hazard, vulnerability, and financial modules.
Identifying and delivering model improvements and adjustments.
Producing clear, robust technical documentation to support decision-making.
Supporting the rollout of new models and updates, ensuring smooth adoption by the business.
Staying ahead of developments in catastrophe risk research, industry trends, emerging risks, and analytical techniques.
Building strong relationships across internal teams and external stakeholders, including technical leads within IPA.
You will have:
Proven experience in catastrophe modelling validation and research; multi-class exposure is beneficial.
Familiarity with industry-standard models (Verisk preferred).
Coding skills including SQL (TSQL/Dynamic SQL), Python; R is optional.
Experience in statistical modelling, uncertainty quantification, and data science techniques.
Track record of research publication or industry thought leadership.
Understanding of regulatory frameworks (Lloyd’s, PRA) and reporting requirements.
Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
Excellent organisational skills to manage projects and meet deadlines.
You must be:
On a career break – for any reason - of at least 18 months (any PTA, school governor work, volunteering or similar is acceptable).
Available to start the programme on May 11th 2026.
Eligible to work in the UK and satisfy any regulatory requirements for the role if applicable.
What’s in it for you?
25 days’ holiday (pro‑rated for the FTC)
Private medical cover for you and your family
Private dental insurance
Worldwide travel insurance
Pension scheme
Vitality wellbeing benefits
My Family Care for emergency childcare and eldercare
High street discounts and reduced gym memberships
We are a Disability Confident Committed employer which means we want to ensure that you have a positive experience applying for a role at Markel and can perform at your best. If there are any adjustments we can reasonably make to ensure that the process is accessible for you at every stage please email returners@markel.com.
#LI-Hybrid #PlayYourPartUK
