Scientist on Coupled Satellite Data Assimilation

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated scientist to advance our exploitation of satellite data in ECMWF’s coupled global forecasting system. The role will prepare the use of radiance products from the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR), planned to be launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2029. CIMR will provide a wealth of Earth observation information both on surface conditions as well as the atmosphere. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in preparing the exploitation of this information for global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), with a particular focus on sea-surface temperature (SST) information.

A critical aspect of using CIMR data successfully will be to identify and exclude observations affected by Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), that is, human-made signals from radio-transmitters that otherwise over-power the natural geophysical signal. Comparing satellite observations against equivalents calculated from a state-of-the-art NWP system offers a powerful framework for identifying observations affected by such non-natural signals. The successful candidate will apply machine learning concepts to develop new ways of identifying RFI-affected anomalous observations, in the context of our coupled ocean-atmosphere data assimilation system.

The candidate will also investigate ways to enhance the exploitation of SST information from relevant passive microwave instruments in this system. The developments will be done using existing sensors such as the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) 2 or the Soil Moisture Active-Passive (SMAP) instrument.

This role is based in the Microwave Radiances team that is dedicated to advancing the exploitation of satellite microwave radiances, and the research will feed directly into ECMWF’s operational global NWP system. The position is funded by ESA as part of the Data Assimilation and Numerical Testing for Copernicus EXpansion missions (DANTEX) initiative.

The team

The Microwave Radiances Team is dedicated to the advanced exploitation of satellite observations for NWP. A key focus of the team is to develop innovative ways to exploit surface-related information alongside atmospheric information in a coupled data assimilation context. The team is part of the Earth System Assimilation Section in the Research Department of ECMWF. The Section is in charge of developing and optimising ECMWF’s assimilation system, one of the most advanced systems for the exploitation of satellite data for operational NWP and reanalyses. There will be strong collaboration with other teams across ECMWF, particularly the Coupled Assimilation Team as well as the Data Assimilation Methodology Team.

Your responsibilities

• Investigate the exploitation of ocean information from CIMR-like radiances in ECMWF’s coupled assimilation system, with a focus on sea-surface temperature
• Develop novel ways to identify RFI-affected observations for CIMR-like radiances in the context of ECMWF’s coupled assimilation system
• Evaluate the performance of the RFI detection against existing methods, using existing observations such as AMSR2 as proxy for CIMR data
• Ensure timely delivery of relevant results to the European Space Agency
• Communicate and document scientific results and software developments in technical reports, journal publications, conferences and meetings as appropriate

What we're looking for

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive and constructive approach
• Ability to succeed both independently and as part of multidisciplinary and geographically distributed teams
• Flexibility, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work efficiently and complete diverse tasks in a timely manner

Education

• The candidate should have a PhD or equivalent proven research experience in Earth System Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in satellite data analysis or data assimilation
• Experience with machine learning is desirable, ideally for geophysical applications and/or anomaly detection
• Some experience with coupled data assimilation, SST estimation or the use of microwave imager radiances would be an advantage
• Experience with performing statistical analyses and preparing scientific figures
• Strong programming skills, ideally in Python, Fortran, and UNIX shell scripting or equivalent
• Experience with working on high-performance computing platforms in Unix/Linux-based environments would be an advantage
• 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

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

About ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (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 our 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 mission: Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States.

Our vision: World-leading monitoring and predictions of the Earth System enabled by cutting-edge physical, computational and data science, resulting from a close collaboration between ECMWF and the members of the European Meteorological Infrastructure, will contribute to a safe and thriving society.

In addition, ECMWF has established 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, as well as being a contributor 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. In a process of continuous evolution and improvement, ECMWF also conducts research on how to improve its Early Warning Systems and Climate Services especially on hydrological-related hazards such as floods and droughts. This modelling position is at the core of the next-generation of Early Warning Systems needed to inform and improve emergency response related to hydrology in any part of the Earth system.

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.

See www.ecmwf.int for more info about what we do.

About the DANTEX Project

DANTEX is a three-year project funded by the European Space Agency to establish scientific and technical capability for Copernicus missions, notably the Copernicus Expansion Missions CIMR, CRISTAL and LSTM, and also the existing Sentinel-1 mission, which is currently under exploited in Numerical Weather Prediction. The current phase of DANTEX has started late in 2024 and will run until late 2027. Future phases are foreseen (subject to funding).

Other information

Grade remuneration: The successful candidates will be recruited according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. In addition to basic salary, ECMWF also offers an attractive benefits package. To find out more about working with us and for full details of salary scales and allowances, please visit www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs/working-ecmwf.

Starting date: 01 August 2025

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

Remote work: 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, including up to 80 days/year away from the duty station country (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

Interviews by videoconference (MS Teams) are expected to take place shortly after the closing date. If you require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment process, please let us know.

To contact the ECMWF Recruitment Team, please email jobs@ecmwf.int.

Who can apply

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button below. Please note applications can no longer be made after 23:59 hours (UK time) on the closing date.

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, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy (note: ECMWF will not be able to assist with leaving the country).

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