Scientist to work on land surface and hydrological modelling

(as part of the EU-funded "eartH2Observe" project)

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 vacancy is in the Physical Aspects (PA) Section of the Research Department (RD). The section conducts research with the aim of improving the stability, accuracy and efficiency of the model. It also interacts with staff working on the dynamical core of the model and the operational framework for data assimilation. The physical parametrizations are used similarly in all components of the ECMWF forecasting system.

The PA Section is working on a better representation of processes associated with radiation, turbulent mixing, subgrid-scale orographic drag, moist convection, clouds and surface processes, in a challenging context of increasing horizontal and vertical model resolution, the incorporation of atmospheric composition and the coupling with land surface, sea ice and waves.

The "eartH2Observe" project, proposed by a consortium of European and world-wide partners (29 institutions), has recently been accepted for funding by the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme for the Environment (FP7-ENV2013).

The 4-year project will start near the end of 2013. ECMWF is tasked to derive global water resource estimates, which will make use of state-of-the-art modelling and land data assimilation systems within the consortium, and to reconstruct all elements of the water cycle (precipitation, soil moisture, snow, lakes, evaporation, river discharges), spanning the past three decades.

ECMWF is also taking part in an advanced land re-analysis with specific emphasis on hydrology. This will require further developing of the cold processes within the land surface scheme, in particular snow accumulation and melting, soil freezing, and their link to runoff and rivers.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• conduct land surface research, in particular on cold processes in the context of hydro-meteorological forecasts;
• perform water resource re-analyses using different versions of ECMWF's land surface scheme (HTESSEL), forced by atmospheric re-analysis data (ERA);
• extend the land-surface scheme with a multi-layer snow scheme within ECMWF's Integrated Forecasting System;
• contribute to the "eartH2Observe" project deliverables and associated scientific and technical reporting.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A university degree in meteorology, hydrology, physics or a related subject is required and a PhD is highly desirable. The ideal candidate has a background in modelling of land surface processes and expertise in the large-scale hydrological cycle. Expertise in snow modelling and verification would be an advantage.

Very good programming skills in Fortran-90 and UNIX-scripting are essential. Candidates should also be familiar with coding on high-performance computing facilities and modern data analysis techniques.

The working languages of ECMWF are English, French and German. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English. 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 and applications from all suitably qualified candidates are welcome.

REMUNERATION:

The successful candidate will be recruited at the A2 grade and the annual basic salary will be £52,299 net of tax. This position refers to the employment category STF-PL as defined in the Staff Regulations.

Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at: www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/conditions_en.html, including the Centre's Staff Regulations regarding the terms and conditions of employment.

STARTING DATE: As soon as possible, subject to final contract agreements with the European Commission.

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: 4 years.

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 HR Section of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 20 September 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.