Job summary
We are looking for a highly motivated hydrologist or land surface modeller to join our growing community of scientists working on the enhancement of the hydrological processes, including the soil-vegetation-atmosphere interactions, within ECMWF’s land surface model (ecLand) and to assess the impact on the hydrological and atmospheric forecasts when compared against global flux and streamflow observations.
In your role you will actively lead and contribute to the delivery and implementation of changes to ecLand’s land surface processes. This work is directly linked to the development of the next generation of hydrological forecasting and numerical weather prediction systems within the centre’s operational modelling chain, through the modification and uplift of the hydrological forecasting capabilities of the underlying land surface model. The successful candidate will therefore hold key responsibilities for the hydrological forecasting chains at ECMWF.
This development will be based on the revision of existing surface and subsurface runoff-generating processes within ecLand, and the integration of shallow surface water to better simulate inundation. The successful candidate will also contribute to the calibration of existing and/or the incorporation of additional processes in the model, such as evaporation and transpiration, or alternative modelling strategies with the overall aim of improving the Centre’s forecast skill. Given the current development of ML/AI forecasting systems at the Centre, an interest in the use of this emerging field for the purpose of model enhancements is expected.
Specific considerations include:
* Revision of the runoff generating processes within ecLand, in particular:
o the runoff- and streamflow-generating processes across diverse ecosystems,
o the interaction of surface water with the land surface and the atmosphere, following inundation or irrigation,
* Improving hydrological and general forecasting skills in observational data-poor regions.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of this role. The candidate is expected to develop close working relationships with teams within the Research and the Forecast and Services Department at ECMWF, and its main collaborators.
Your responsibilities
* Diagnose model performance and physical consistency to improve the hydrological processes within ecLand, and subsequently assess the impact of those changes on the operational IFS.
* Take responsibility to enhance the hydrological performance and forecasting skills through regular major hydrological modelling system upgrades (e.g. calibration, review of forcing data, update of modelling framework).
* Ensure that modifications are actively reviewed and evaluated against available observations.
* Maintenance of developed code within ecLand and support code integration into the operational IFS.
* Work with ML scientists on leveraging data-driven approaches for the improvement of the land surface model.
What we're looking for
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive, independent approach.
* Positive attitude towards working in an international operational environment.
* Flexibility, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and project needs, in particular with the advent of ML/AI in the field.
* Good interpersonal and communication skills.
* Dedication, passion, and enthusiasm to succeed both individually and across teams of different discipline.
Education
* A doctoral university degree (EQ8 level) or substantial equivalent professional experience in hydrology or a related discipline.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
* Extensive experience in modelling land surface processes, in particular related to the water cycle, including the assessment and revision of model processes and parameters.
* Relevant experience in writing reports, scientific papers or other relevant documentation.
* Experience in processing and utilising observational datasets, such as river discharge, for model validation purposes.
* Experience in processing output from numerical weather prediction (NWP) models would be an advantage.
* Experience in the use of remotely sensed data would be an advantage.
* Experience in the use of ML in hydrological modelling would be an advantage.
* Excellent knowledge of scientific programming, programming language and shell scripts. Knowledge of Fortran and/or Python would be an advantage.
* Good knowledge of Linux systems (and/ or UNIX).
* The experience of working in an operational framework would be an advantage.
* Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English.
* Good knowledge of one of the Centre’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 for more info about what we do.
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: As soon as possible
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 theapplybutton 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, 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.