Natural Environment Research Council Science & Innovation Strategy Board chair Duncan Wingham has been appointed as chief executive of the Council for four years from 1 January.
Prof Wingham has been linked with the NERC for many years.
He was founder and director of its Centre for Polar Observation & Modelling from 2000 to 2005 and, since 2000, has been lead investigator of the European Space Agency's Cryosat and Cryosat-2 missions.
"It is an honour to be offered the role of NERC chief executive," he said.
"Environmental science lies increasingly at the heart of many of the challenges and opportunities that face us today, and NERC must continue to play a leading role in developing this science, and ensuring the widest possible impact of its work. I am very much looking forward to the exciting possibilities and challenges that lie ahead."
Business secretary Vince Cable said his expertise will be of great benefit as the NERC tackles the world's major environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity and natural hazards.
