Consultant (Scientist) to work within EU-funded IGAS & MACC-II projects on assimilation of atmospheric composition data from aircraft and satellites

ENVIRONMENT:

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an international organisation supported by 34 States*.

ECMWF's principal objectives are the development of numerical methods for medium range, monthly and seasonal weather forecasting; the preparation, on a regular basis, of these weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological services of the Member States; scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of these forecasts; and the collection and storage of appropriate meteorological data. Satellite and in situ observations provide the information for up-to-date global analyses and reanalyses of the atmosphere, ocean and surface. For details see: www.ecmwf.int/research

ECMWF's main computing facility includes supercomputers, archiving and data handling systems. ECMWF is connected to the meteorological telecommunication system and to its Member States via efficient networks linking 44 countries. A detailed description is available at: www.ecmwf.int/services/computing/overview

MAIN DUTIES:

The European Union is funding the MACC-II (Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate - Interim Implementation, http://www.gmes-atmosphere.eu) project within the European Copernicus programme. MACC-II delivers the Copernicus pilot services for the atmosphere, covering topics ranging from air quality, to long-range transport of pollutants, radiation and greenhouse gases. ECMWF is co-ordinating the project, which is run by a consortium with 35 other European partners, and is responsible for operating the global data assimilation and forecasting system. The team working on MACC II comprises 16 people within ECMWF.

The European Union is also funding the IGAS (IAGOS for the GMES Atmosphere Service) project as part of its FP7 Research Framework. This project aims to make valuable in situ aircraft measurements available in both near-real-time (for the IAGOS measurements) and delayed mode (for CARIBIC measurements) to the Copernicus Atmospheric Service, currently represented by MACC-II in its pre-operational state.

The vacancy is in the Chemical Aspects Section of the Research Department. The main role of the section is to conduct research on the composition of the atmosphere and to provide the expertise and the software needed to monitor and forecast its evolution and variability by means of modelling and data assimilation.

The main duty of the post is to work on the potential assimilation of IAGOS greenhouse gas and aerosol data within the IGAS project and on the assimilation of satellite reactive gas data within the MACC-II project; in detail, to:

• Develop the use of IAGOS greenhouse gas and aerosol data in the MACC-II monitoring and forecasting system
• Assess the use of IAGOS data for data assimilation and bias correction
• Improve the data assimilation of reactive gas data from satellite instruments in the MACC-II system
• Assist in the diagnosis of the performance of the atmospheric composition data assimilation system
• Liaise as required with other partners within the IGAS and MACC-II projects

QUALIFICATIONS:

A university degree in meteorology, physics, mathematics or a related subject is required, and a PhD is highly desirable. A background in geophysical data assimilation and modelling is important. Some research experience in atmospheric composition science is desirable.

Programming skills in FORTRAN-90 and UNIX scripting are essential. Some programming experience with C++ or Python would be an advantage.

The consultant will interact with other staff of the ECMWF Research Department, MACC-II and IGAS partners, and external users; good communication skills and the ability to work in a team are thus very important.

The working languages of ECMWF are English, French and German. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and a good knowledge of one of the other working languages would be desirable. Interviews will be conducted in English.

ECMWF has an Equal Opportunities Policy Statement and applications from all suitably qualified candidates are welcome.

REMUNERATION:

This consultancy position is remunerated at a level equivalent to a grade A2 staff position and the annual basic salary will be £52,299 net of tax.

Subject to individual circumstances and eligibility, other allowances may be added. Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at: www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/conditions_consultants_en.html

STARTING DATE: 1 July 2013, or as soon as possible thereafter.

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: Until 31 December 2015 (the end of the IGAS project).

APPLICATIONS: Application forms can be downloaded from ECMWF's website: www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/

CLOSING DATE: Completed applications for this post must reach the Personnel Section of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 4 April 2013.

* The ECMWF Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The ECMWF Co-operating States are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.