Senior Scientist to work on radiation modelling

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, the section also interacts with staff members working on the model dynamical core and the operational data assimilation framework. 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.

Radiation is at the core of the physical parametrizations but is also computationally the most expensive part of the forecast model. Developments of the radiation scheme towards a better representation of surface albedo and emissivity, and the optical properties of clouds, trace gases and aerosols are crucial for model performance.

The successful candidate will work in the following areas:

• new radiative transfer solvers and methods to enhance the computational efficiency and scalability of the model;
• representation of the radiative effects of subgrid-scale variability of clouds and the Earth's surface;
• representation of the optical properties of clouds, aerosols and trace gases;
• formulation of the radiation model error.

The successful candidate will be expected to work in strong collaboration with other scientists in the PA Section, other groups at ECMWF, particularly the Numerical Aspects, Chemical Aspects, Data Assimilation and Probabilistic Forecasting Sections, and with the team working on the project 'Monitoring of Atmospheric Composition and Climate' (MACC-II).

QUALIFICATIONS:

A university degree in Meteorology, Physics, Mathematics or related subjects is required and a PhD degree is highly desirable. A background in atmospheric physics for NWP and experience with complex geophysical models are important. Prior experience with radiation modelling is essential.

Very good programming skills in FORTRAN-90 and UNIX-scripting are essential and candidates should have experience with coding, code testing and code maintenance on large computers.

Candidates are expected to have the very good communication skills necessary to succeed in a highly interactive work environment.

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 A3 grade and the annual basic salary will be £64,532 net of tax. This position refers to the employment category STF-C 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: 1 January 2014, or as soon as possible thereafter.

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: Maximum of four years for initial contract, with the possibility of renewal.

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 30 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.