Your role 

We are searching for a highly motivated Computational Scientist in Machine Learning (ML) and High Performance Computing (HPC) to join the HPC Applications team at ECMWF. In this role, you will have a particular focus on benchmarking and optimising machine learning (ML) models within the Destination Earth (DestinE) intiative so that they run efficiently across a variety of pre-Exascale EuroHPC systems such as LUMI, Leonardo, MareNostrum 5 as well as ECMWF’s own in-house HPC system. Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they only have experience in one of the two areas (e.g., HPC or ML) and are willing to learn the other.

At ECMWF, you will find a passionate community, collectively aiming to build world-leading global Earth system models for numerical weather prediction and climate simulations. ECMWF has been the first operational weather centre to publish results of its own global machine-learned weather model – the Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS) –and the latest predictions are continuously updated on the web . Within DestinE, ECMWF will develop and deploy workflows for training and running machine-learned Earth system components of a European foundation model based on existing DestinE traditional simulation and modelling results.

The successful applicant’s work with the existing HPC Applications, DestinE and ML teams, will not only contribute to improving the computational performance and scalability of ML models on the world’s largest supercomputers but also enable ECMWF to bring innovative ML approaches into the DestinE workflow that will also be considered for use in our operational weather predictions. This effort supports ECMWF’s strategy of producing cutting‐edge science and world-leading weather predictions and monitoring of the Earth system.

The HPC Applications team is responsible with making sure that applications such as the ECMWF IFS weather model, and from now on, also the AIFS machine learned model, run efficiently on internal and external HPC systems and that they are able to scale across the world’s largest supercomputers. The team is also responsible with developing benchmarks for procuring ECMWF’s in-house HPC systems used for operational weather forecasting and to that end, this post will play a pivotal role supporting the development AI/ML benchmarks for the next procurement cycle.

In this role you will: 

• Contribute to the development of DestinE ML training and inference benchmark workflows for use in benchmarking ML models on pre-Exascale supercomputers
• Benchmark ML models on a wide range of EuroHPC systems as part of DestinE
• Diagnose performance and scalability bottlenecks of DestinE ML-based workflows and come up with ideas and solutions on how to address them
• Port and benchmark DestinE ML workflows on future bleeding-edge HPC/ML architectures (e.g., GPUs, TPUs etc)
• Support and contribute towards the deployment of ML workflows on EuroHPC systems
• Collaboration with colleagues across ECMWF in the ongoing development of DestinE ML data flows required for training and running ML models

What we’re looking for:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive and constructive approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with specialists across diverse teams
• Dedication, passion, and enthusiasm to succeed both individually and across teams
• Flexibility, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines
• Candidates must be able to work and communicate effectively in English

Your education, skills and experience:

• A university degree (EQF Level 6) in a physical, computational, or mathematical science, or related subject, or equivalent experience
• Strong “close to the metal” GPU programming skills in any of the following programming models: CUDA, HIP, SYCL, OpenCL
• Strong HPC programming skills (e.g., MPI, OpenMP, OpenACC)
• Proven in-depth knowledge of HPC architectures and technologies
• Experience benchmarking and troubleshooting performance issues of applications on high-performance computing systems
• Proficiency in object-oriented coding in Python and experience of shell scripting in Unix or Linux environments is required
• Familiarity with ML frameworks such as PyTorch would be highly advantageous

Other information

Grade remuneration:  The successful candidates will be recruited at the A2 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-PS  as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs.

Starting date:  As soon as possible

Length of contract: The contract duration is expected to be two years. The DestinE initiative as per the Contribution Agreement is divided into phases, the second of which will last approximately two years from June 2024 to June 2026. There may be the possibility of further contract extensions in the future depending on requirements and funding availability.

Location:         This position will be located at either one of ECMWF’s duty stations in Bonn, Germany, or in Reading, UK.  Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station. As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility for staff to mix office working and teleworking, including working away from the duty station (within the area of our member states and co-operating states) for up to 10 working days per month.

Interviews by videoconference (MS Team) are expected to take place approximately a month after the closing date.

Who can apply 

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button 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: 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.  

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