Your role

This core position will lead the developments of the wave model at ECMWF and will be the go-to person for questions regarding wave modelling, ocean-wave-atmosphere coupling, wave data assimilation system, and the quality of wave products. The wave model plays an important role in ECMWF’s Integrated Forecast System (IFS) as it is coupled to atmosphere and ocean in all forecast products from medium range to seasonal predictions. The successful applicant is expected to drive new ocean wave related developments from conceptional ideas all the way to operational implementation in close collaboration with colleagues focussing more on ocean, sea ice and atmospheric dynamics.

The successful applicant will also support and guide further developments regarding the portability and computational efficiency of the wave model in close collaboration with the code portability team, as well as the use of future grids and numerical methods for wave modelling in close collaboration with the Numerics team. They will also make sure that wave model related developments in projects such as Destination Earth find their way into operational use for numerical weather prediction.

Your team

The Coupled Processes Team is responsible for the representation of the land surface including urban areas and hydrology, the ocean, sea ice, and ocean wind waves within the forecast model of ECMWF’s Integrated Forecast System (IFS). The team is situated in the Earth System Modelling Section that leads the developments of the forecast model within ECMWF’s Department of Research. With the wave model ecWAM, ECMWF is maintaining their own Ocean Wave Model with their own capability to perform data assimilation and model coupling. The ecWAM has recently been published as open-source model (https://github.com/ecmwf-ifs/ecwam).

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. We appreciate the need for flexibility in the way our staff work. We adopted a hybrid work model that is widely used by staff across ECMWF – allowing everyone to work in the office working as well as remotely up to 10 days/month, including away from the duty station.

ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the EU Copernicus Programme. We also contribute to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing 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.

During COP 27 in November 2022, the UN Secretariat General launched the ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative, with the ambition that anyone in the world is covered by an early warning system or climate service by 2027, so that they are informed on upcoming climate-related disaster and lives can be saved. ECMWF is one of the world-leading centres for global hydro-meteorological forecasting and climate services, operating the Hydrological Forecast Computational Centre of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service since 2011. Every day, we generate hydro-meteorological forecast data for thousands of points and make the information available to registered users through dedicated web applications such as the CEMS European and Global Flood Awareness Systems, or data services such as the Climate Data Store.

To learn more see www.ecmwf.int.

Main duties and key responsibilities

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• Lead developments in ecWAM and its role in the Earth System Model at ECMWF, from conceptual ideas for improvements all the way to operational implementation
• Maintain the existing capabilities of wave data assimilation via optimal interpolation to generate future reanalysis products and operational analyses, and contribute to future efforts to improve wave data assimilation and the uptake of new wave observations
• Serve as contact point for all requests and questions about ocean wave related queries from users and colleagues, and act as the scientific and data lead for the WMO lead centre for wave forecasts validation LC-WFV operated at ECMWF
• Consult and collaborate with the relevant teams at ECMWF to make ecWAM computationally efficient and portable, to combine conventional wave modelling with deep learning tools where appropriate (for example via emulation, bias correction or extensions of the existing model) and to make sure that numerical methods, grids and IO capabilities are consistent with developments for other model components
• Liaise with the Meteorological Centres of the ECMWF Member and Co-operating States, as well as large European projects such as Destination Earth to generate synergies and foster collaborations between wave model developments.

What we’re looking for

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to maintain effective communication and documentation regarding model developments and the support of the research-to-operation process
• 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 6) or equivalent industry experience
• Experience to work with large computer models in the domain of weather and climate prediction are required
• Experience in wave modelling for weather and climate prediction are required
• Experience in data assimilation and/or verification for weather and climate models would be an advantage
• Experience in the numerical model development or the optimisation of numerical cores on modern supercomputers would be advantage
• Experience in machine learning in physical application domains would be an advantage

Knowledge and skills ​​​​​​​​​​

• Expert knowledge about wave modelling
• Basic numerical schemes and algorithms for NWP models or related field
• Good knowledge of large model codes in weather and climate prediction
• Good understanding of the concept of data assimilation in weather and climate prediction
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English.

Other information

Grade remuneration

The successful candidates will be recruited at the A2 or A3 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. The annual basic salary will be Grade A3 EUR 103,517 (Bonn) or GBP 84,368 (Reading) or Grade A2 EUR 83,888 (Bonn) or GBP 68,374 (Reading) NET of income tax. ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. The position will either be assigned to the employment category STF-C or 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: Four years, with the possibility of further extensions

Location: This position can be located at the ECMWF HQ in Reading, UK or at its duty station in 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 (via Teams ) are expected to take place in September 2033.

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.

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, 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.