Scientist - Visible Radiance Assimilation

The role

ECMWF has always been at the fore-front of the exploitation of satellite observations with the goal of improving the Numerical Weather Prediction. This position will tackle the use of radiance observations in the visible part of the spectrum which have never been used before in operational assimilation at ECMWF.  The position is funded by the Horizon Europe CERTAINTY project, which has as a main goal that of understanding processes related to aerosol and cloud interactions, and the ESA-funded CLOVIS-2  which aims at exploiting Sentinel-3 level 1 radiance data from the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument. This position in particular will focus on exploiting satellite visible radiance to derive cloud parameters such as liquid and ice water contents and cloud cover, through the optimization of meteorological variables (temperature, humidity and winds) within the ECMWF’s 4D-Var. Advanced methods to estimate cloud parameters such as effective radius will also be tried. We are looking for a motivated scientist, who is keen to apply their scientific expertise in the stimulating environment of ECMWF research activities to advance the state-of-the-art NWP forecasting represented by the global operational Integrated Forecasting System (IFS).

The main task of the of the position will be the development of an operationally viable cloud assimilation system for visible radiances in ECMWF’s IFS. A secondary task will be to test different key model parameters which regulate clouds and determine their optical properties. 

The Scientist will build the infrastructure for the cloud visible radiance assimilation system in the IFS, including data handling and screening, preparation for data ingest, format definitions, pre-screening, observation data base loading, bias correction, observation error selection, quality control and data volume reduction (I.e., super-obbing). They will define the components for the assimilation of visible radiance, identify suitable sensors or channels, test the technical functioning and carry out data assimilation experiments. 

The work will be carried out in collaboration with the other teams within ESAS and the Physical Processes team in the Earth-System Modelling Section.

About the Earth System Data Assimilation Section / Infrared Radiance Observations Team

The Earth System Assimilation Section (ESAS) forms part of ECMWF’s Research Department. It develops state-of-the-art data assimilation techniques and infrastructure to bring together information from the global satellite and in-situ observation network to support the ECMWF numerical prediction systems. Activity covers all components of the Earth System (atmosphere, land, ocean and cryosphere) with the primary focus of improving the accuracy of weather forecasts. Increasingly, the techniques and infrastructure developed in ESAS are also being applied for environmental monitoring and prediction (e.g. atmospheric composition) and the generation of climate reference datasets (reanalyses). 
 
Within the ESAS Section, the Infrared/Visible (IR/VIS) Team specifically manages the exploitation of infrared and visible observations from the constellation of geostationary (GEO) and low-Earth-orbit (LEO) meteorological satellites.  The team comprises expertise in the areas of satellite data analysis, cloud and aerosols, radiative transfer and information compression techniques. The team works very closely with other teams within ESAS and the wider Research Department as well as supporting operational ECMWF activities. The IR/VIS Team maintains a very close collaboration with satellite data providers and space agencies.

For additional details, see www.ecmwf.int  

Main duties and key responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities cover:

• Build the infrastructure for a cloud visible radiance assimilation system in the IFS
• Carry out data assimilation experiments 
• Perform sensitivity studies of Top-Of-the-Atmosphere (TOA) visible radiance to key cloud parameters
• Assess the possibility of retrieving cloud parameters such as effective radius using parameter estimation methods within the ECMWF 4D-Var data assimilation system
• Evaluate model simulations of cloud fields against visible radiance observations with the view of understanding model biases

What we are looking for

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach 
• Attention to detail, but capability of understanding the big picture
• Self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision 
• Ability to maintain effective communication and documentation with the rest of the team and a distributed user community
• Dedication and enthusiasm to work in a team 
• Ability to work efficiently and complete diverse tasks in a timely manner

Education and experience

• A university degree (EQF Level 7 or above) in a physical, mathematical, computational or environmental science or equivalent industry experience
• Professional experience in meteorology, oceanography, computational fluid dynamics or a related subject would be an advantage
• Good understanding of methods in earth-system data assimilation  
• Atmospheric radiative transfer with focus on clouds
• Knowledge of processes controlling atmospheric processes, particularly those related to cloud formation and evolution
• Experience of using satellite observations for Numerical Weather Prediction or other environmental applications

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong programming and scripting skills. Experience in Object-Oriented programming and parallel programming techniques would be an advantage 
• Previous experience with developing and maintaining large scientific codes would be an advantage 
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English.
• Knowledge of one of ECMWF’s other working languages (French or German) would be an advantage but is not essential

Other information

Grade remuneration:  The successful candidates will be recruited at the A2 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations and the annual basic salary will be GBP 68.375 (Reading/UK) or EUR 83.888 (Bonn/Germany) NET of tax. ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-C  as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at , including the ECMWF Staff Regulations and the terms and conditions of employment. 

Starting date:                    as soon as possible

Length of contract:         30 months  with the possibility of extension

Location:                            Reading, UK or Bonn, Germany

As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking. We allow for remote work 10 days/month away from the office and up to 80 days/year away from the duty station (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

Interviews by videoconference (MS Team) are expected to take place in January 2024

Who can apply

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the Apply button below. 

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion. 

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States as well as from all EU Member States. 

ECMWF Member and Co-operating States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. 

In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy.  

Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.