Senior Scientist/Team Leader - Atmospheric Composition Data Assimilation

The role

As part of the second phase of the CAMS programme, ECMWF is leading the development and implementation of exciting new Earth monitoring services to monitor anthropogenic emissions of CO2, CH4, and various atmospheric pollutants. Using satellite-based observations (retrievals) of atmospheric concentrations for deriving emission estimates requires the development, implementation, and testing of novel data assimilation techniques to extend the capabilities of the current ECMWF data assimilation system. Monitoring emissions is important by itself, but better observation-based emission estimates will also improve the CAMS atmospheric composition forecasts. It is thus a very important aspect for CAMS going forward.

We are looking for a Team Lead of the Greenhouse Gas Aspects team in the Atmospheric Composition section. The section consists of two teams, the other being the Reactive gas & Aerosol Aspects team, which work closely together on the development of all atmospheric composition aspects of ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System (IFS). The current primary focus of the Greenhouse Gas Aspects team, in collaboration with the rest of the section and other ECMWF staff, is to develop the operational system for the new emission monitoring capacity within the IFS. While the focus is on CO2 and CH4, the development is being extended to also include pollutants that can be measured from space, such as NO2, CO, SO2, and aerosol.

The role will, in addition to the tasks described above, support the Head of Section with the coordination and planning of the relevant activities and closely interact with the team leader of the Reactive gas & Aerosol Aspects team. For this purpose, the successful applicant shall bring proven atmospheric data assimilation experience and ideally scientific leadership in data assimilation and/or inverse modelling for greenhouse gases and/or air quality applications. Previous experience with managing a (small) team would be an advantage.

The team/Section

The Atmospheric Composition Section oversees the development of the atmospheric composition aspects in the IFS. The role will require significant engagement with Section members and other IFS developers, externally contracted research scientists, and colleagues throughout ECMWF.

Main responsibilities:

As Senior Scientist/Team leader for Atmospheric Composition Data Assimilation, you will:

• Lead the Greenhouse Gas Aspects team within the Atmospheric Composition section of ECMWF’s Research Department, including the line management of the staff members in the team
• Providing support to the Head of Section with the coordination and planning of the activities related to estimating emissions and surface fluxes of atmospheric composition in the IFS
• Delivering the ECMWF strategy through external and internal developments of atmospheric composition modelling and data assimilation aspects of IFS and their successful implementation in the operational production
• Contribute to the technical developments required for the implementation in the ECMWF IFS of new algorithms for the estimation of natural surface fluxes and anthropogenic emissions of atmospheric composition species
• Contribute to the further development of the general data assimilation methodology for atmospheric composition observations
• Provide technical input into the contractual management of external CAMS contracts that are within the expertise of the successful applicant

What we're looking for:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to motivate and encourage teams to foster an environment where process enhancements can be raised and appropriately considered
• Self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive and constructive approach
• Flexibility, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Attuned to the needs of the user, able to develop services and prioritise accordingly
• Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines

Your background and experience:

In selecting the candidate for this role we’ll be looking for:

• An advanced university degree (EQF Level 8) in Meteorology, Physics, Mathematics or similar subject or equivalent experience is required.
• The ability to manage, motivate, and develop staff.
• Experience in working with scientists/researchers or technical specialists
• Demonstrated experience with atmospheric data assimilation methodologies.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership in the area of atmospheric composition data assimilation and inverse modelling would be an advantage.
• Experience with developing and maintaining large scientific codes in Fortran90, Python and software lifecycle maintenance in High Performance Computing environments.
• Ability to work efficiently in a Linux environment is essential
• Knowledge of tools and processes for software management and software quality is highly desirable
• Ability to interact effectively with a range of different stakeholders (technical and non-technical audiences) across a wide range of activities.
• Excellent administrative, organisational, and planning skills

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

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English. Knowledge of one of ECMWF’s other working languages (French or German) would be an advantage.

About ECMWF:

ECMWF is a world leader in Numerical Weather Predictions providing high-quality data for weather forecasts and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation, we collaborate internationally to serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions, data and training activities that are critical to contribute to safe and thriving societies.
The success of our activities depends on the funding and partnerships of the 35 Member and Co-operating States who provide the support and direction of our work. Our talented staff together with the international scientific community, and our powerful supercomputing capabilities, are the core of a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions. We also hold one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world.
Our vision: The strength of a common goal
Our mission: Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States
ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters in Reading, UK, a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany, as a central location for our EU-related activities. ECMWF is internationally recognised as the voice of expertise in numerical weather predictions for forecasts and climate science.
www.ecmwf.int

About Copernicus:

Copernicus is the flagship Earth observation component of the European Union (EU) space programme. Based on the exploitation of space-based and Earth observations and scientific models, Copernicus provides validated 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. ECMWF has been entrusted to operate two of these Services - the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) - on behalf of the European Commission, as well as being a contributor to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service.

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) service provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to atmospheric composition, including air pollutants and greenhouse gases, solar energy, and climate forcing, everywhere in the world. For more information, see https://www.copernicus.eu/en/copernicus-services/atmosphere

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 more information, see www.copernicus.eu/en/copernicus-services/climate-change and www.copernicus.eu

Other information:

Starting date: As soon as possible

General info:

The successful candidate will be recruited according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs.

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:

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Cooperating States (listed below) as well as from all EU Member States.

ECMWF Member States and Cooperating 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, Türkiye 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.

ECMWF considers an inclusive environment 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.