Job Information
Scientific Officer Climate Observations
Job Description
Your role
ECMWF is recruiting a Scientific Officer for the ECMWF Programme Department to provide technical support for the work on Essential Climate Variables (ECV) datasets. This is an exciting opportunity to advance the work of ECMWF and the Copernicus Climate Change Service in working at the interface between space data (satellite-based observations) and climate change.
Over the past few years C3S has developed an ambitious programme of ECV services, providing guaranteed access to long-term data records of ECV products, with comprehensive documentation and related services. ECV production follows the quality assurance procedures set out by the C3S Evaluation and Quality Control (EQC) function, which also conducts independent evaluations of the data.
The successful candidate will share their activities between the ECV programme and the EQC programme of C3S, liaising between those two functions and work at the interface of technical officers, data providers and EQC evaluators. The main duty will be to coordinate the integration of new ECV datasets in the Climate Data Store (CDS) catalogue, update and maintain existing catalogue entries, including information on quality assurance. They will also play an important interface role with many EU research groups collaborating with C3S, aiming at making ECV datasets useful for many types of users. They will work with both data providers and EQC evaluators to ensure appropriate delivery of EQC information. Proposed tasks include: review of technical and scientific reports; identification and implementation of main recommendations issued by the quality assurance reports; general ECV focal point for technical issues; supporting preparation of communication material on the ECV and EQC programmes with other teams. Due to the dynamic nature of the ECV programme and EQC function, there will be an opportunity for responsibilities to evolve. For instance, acting as Technical Officer for the management of ECV contracts may be an additional role.
About ECMWF
ECMWF is the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. It is an intergovernmental organisation created in 1975 by a group of European nations and is today supported by 35 Member and Co-operating States, mostly in Europe. The Centre’s mission is to serve and support its Member and Co-operating States and the wider community by developing and providing world-leading global numerical weather prediction. ECMWF functions as a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions and holds one of the largest meteorological archives in the world. The success of its activities relies primarily on the talent of its scientists, strong partnerships with its Member and Co-operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies such as machine learning across its operations.
Over the years, ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union, and for the past seven years has been an entrusted entity for the implementation and operation of the Climate and the Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the EU Copernicus Programme, as well as a contributor to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The collaboration does not stop there and includes other areas of work, including High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend its provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.
ECMWF has recently become a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters based since its creation in Reading, UK, its new data centre in Bologna, Italy, and new offices in Bonn, Germany.
For additional details, see www.ecmwf.int.
About Copernicus
Copernicus is the earth observation component of the European Union (EU) space programme. Based on the exploitation of space-based and in-situ (earth-based) observations and scientific models, Copernicus provides information services for land, marine, atmosphere and climate monitoring, as well as emergency management and security. These services, and their free, open and quality assured data and tools, support a range of environmental and security applications across sectors and policy domains. For details, see www.copernicus.eu
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) service provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to air pollution and health, solar energy, greenhouse gases and climate forcing, everywhere in the world. For details, see https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) service provides authoritative information about the past, present and future climate, as well as tools to enable climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies by policy makers and businesses. For details, see https://climate.copernicus.eu
Your responsibilities
- Assist on the integration of new ECV products based on satellite data in the Climate Data Store catalogue,
- Support the update of current catalogue entries with the constant arrival of ICDRs and/or new product versions, up-to-date product description, documentation and metadata information following the Climate Data Store guidelines,
- Act as urgent technical support for critical issues reported by users and EQC or breaks in the operational chains,
- Implement user-oriented material, including updating the C3S website
- Liaise between ECV data providers and EQC evaluators on the production of quality assurance reports
- Review quality assurance reports for a broad range of ECVs (atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial) for satellite datasets (and to a lesser extent in situ and reanalyses)
- Follow up on technical recommendations from the EQC evaluators and work with the CDS team and ECV providers to implement changes accordingly
- Provide technical support to the ECV and EQC managers
- Contribute to other C3S activities as required
What we’re looking for
- Flexible with a can-do attitude to handle the diverse requirements of this role
- Excellent attention to detail, procedures and supporting solutions
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach
- Excellent interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills
- Excellent coordination, planning and organisational skills.
- Dedication and enthusiasm to work in a team efficiently and complete diverse tasks in a timely manner
- Ability to work collaboratively in an international environment with teams from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Education and experience
- An advanced degree (EQF Level 6) or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
- Solid experience with climate observations based on satellite data, ranging from their production, practical usage to data policies.
- Experience in providing technical support to programme management is an advantage.
- Experience with working and contributing to large python or other scientific codes for environmental sciences is an advantage.
- Experience with and knowledge of quality control/quality assurance procedures is a an asset.
Knowledge and skills
- Ability to work in a Linux-based environment.
- Experience in working with environmental or geophysical datasets such as climate observations, satellite data, data processing and reviewing associated documentation for large datasets.
- Experience with ECVs and Earth Observation data is an asset.
- Very solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- Knowledge of and experience in coding e.g. Python is an asset.
- Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English.
- A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) is an advantage.
Other information
Grade remuneration: The successful candidates will be recruited at the A1 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations and the annual basic salary will be EUR 61,087.08 NET of tax. ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-PL as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs, including the ECMWF Staff Regulations and the terms and conditions of employment.
Starting date: As soon as possible
Length of contract: 24 months, with the possibility of further extensions
Location: 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.
Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.
Interviews by videoconference (MS Teams) are expected to take place in August/September.
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.