Research Software Engineer - IoT and Observation Handling

Your role

Internet of Things devices and other devices with environmental sensors are ubiquitous. The data that they collect are potentially hugely scientifically valuable for forecasting, but they are totally unlike anything that has been used in this domain previously. They are hugely numerous, typically small and high-frequency, but not calibrated or handled with the care taken by formal observation stations.

As Research Software Engineer - IoT and Observation Handling (A2) you will be responsible for building a novel data infrastructure to handle unconventional observational data from private and public sensors, crowd sourced data and Internet of Things (IoT). You will develop the technology and systems to perform quality control, encode observations in standardised forms, and store and index the observations before making them available to external partners through a web service. The data will need to follow standards including OGC, FAIR data and European Data Governance. The technology should as far as possible be made generic and scalable and connect to the existing software tools in ECMWF’s production chain.

You will work in the Data Management Services team in the Development Section. We are responsible for all software and systems handling meteorological data from when they arrive at ECMWF to when they leave. This includes high-throughput specialist software that supports the operational forecast model, systems for acquisition of incoming observations, management of direct model output, and the perpetual archival of forecasts and observations. We particularly focus on the use of semantically meaningful metadata to route and control data flows, and on novel systems and methods to address the disruptive changes coming.

The work will be carried out in the AD4GD, TRIGGER and DaFab projects. AD4GD aims to co-create and shape the European Green Deal Data Space as an open hub for FAIR data, and TRIGGER looks at impacts on human health from weather and climate hazards incorporating novel geophysical and health-related observations. DaFab aims to use AI and federated computing techniques to analyse Earth Observation datasets to support real-time applications. Additionally, there is overlap with iCHANGE (individual Change of Habits Needed for Green European transition, H2020), aiming to raise awareness of climate issues by making it easier to observe the environmental impacts of human activities.

About ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world-leader in weather and environmental forecasting. As an international organisation we serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions and data that is critical for understanding and solving the climate crisis. We function as a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions, holding one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world. The success of our activities builds on the talent of our scientists and experts, strong partnerships with 35 Member and Co-operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies and machine learning across our operations. ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with a main office in Reading, UK, a data centre/supercomputer in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany.  

ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth Initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing (HPC) and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring. 

For additional detail about ECMWF, see www.ecmwf.int 

Your responsibilities

• Develop software and systems to handle unconventional observations incl. for example IoT, including quality control, storage, indexing and archival
• Develop, deploy and maintain a system to serve observational data to external project partners for the duration of the project
• Contribute to a pilot system for further integration of unconventional observations into ECMWF’s operational systems and the AD4GD and TRIGGER projects
• Contribute to the AD4GD and TRIGGER project deliverables and Work Package tasks where ECMWF are involved
• Represent ECMWF at external and international meetings and scientific conferences to present the outcome of the project

What we're looking for

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive and constructive approach
• Flexibility, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and user needs
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are vital, to communicate with a wide range of technically skilled colleagues, including remote teams, and to non-technical staff
• Dedication and enthusiasm to work in a team and across teams
• Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines

Education

• An advanced university degree (EQ7 level or above) or equivalent experience in computer science or engineering, computational science, physics or natural sciences, mathematics, or a related discipline

Experience 

• Demonstrated experience developing large scale, object-oriented software
• Knowledge of web services and standards such as OGC or GEOSS is advantageous

Knowledge and skills

• Experience in Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
• Experience developing with Python and software lifecycle maintenance is required

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English . A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) is an advantage.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you meet precisely all these criteria.

Other information

Grade remuneration    The successful candidate will be recruited at the A2 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. 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

Location:                       Reading, UK or Bonn, Germany    (Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station)

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

Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

Interviews will take place via videoconference (MS Team).  If you require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment process, please contact us via email:  jobs@ecmwf.int

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 Cooperating States, listed below, 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, Hungary, Germany, Georgia, Greece, 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.