Research Software Engineer – Digital Twins for Wind-Energy Modelling

Your role

We have a new opening for a Research Software Engineer (A2) to work on the development of a plugin infrastructure in ECMWF Earth System Models. The plugin system will be used for on-the-fly data processing and interaction between forecast and impact models.

This role is an integral part of a dynamic team consisting of scientists and research engineers contributing to key activities at ECMWF. At ECMWF, you will find a passionate community, aiming to bring novel technology and science to cutting edge numerical weather prediction.

You will be involved in the creation of coupling capabilities between third-party wind-energy models and ECMWF’s Earth System Models. The work is part of an international collaboration in the EU horizon project Federated Digital Twins for Wind-Offshore (DTWO). You will focus on the development of a mechanism that enables the dynamic loading of plugins into the ECMWF Earth System Models and also on the development of specific plugins for wind energy applications. In addition, you will run simulations on ECMWF’s own high-performance computing (HPC) system and on other HPC systems available for the project. You will be expected and have unique opportunities to bring creative insights into software architecture and interface design and software-infrastructure development. The plugin system will be used for on-the-fly data processing and interaction between forecast and impact models for off-shore wind-energy generation.

The role sits in the Model Data Services Team in the Development Section of the Forecast and Services Department. The team’s responsibility is to develop and maintain the technological components that handle and process Earth-system model data on-the-fly. This includes output control, efficient model output, in-memory diagnostics computation, coupling with machine-learning and impact models, as well as other services linked to model execution. This effort is dedicated to the development and integration of a plugin system into ECMWF’s Earth-system models, primarily the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS). We support ECMWF’s strategy of producing cutting‐edge science and world-leading weather predictions, as well as monitoring the Earth system.

This role involves close collaboration with colleagues across the Development Section and in the Research Department, as well all external partners of the EU horizon project DTWO.

About ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world-leader in weather and environmental forecasting. As an international organisation we serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions and data that is critical for understanding and solving the climate crisis. We function as a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions, holding one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world. The success of our activities builds on the talent of our scientists and experts, strong partnerships with 35 Member and Co-operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies and ML across our operations. 

ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the EU Copernicus Programme. We also contribute 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.

See   for more info about what we do. 

In this role you will:

• Contribute to the development of Plume, a software to dynamically load and execute plugins inside
• Earth System Models
• Develop model plugins for wind-energy applications
• Execute and analyse forecast simulations in the HPC systems allocated to the DTWO project
• Contribute to DTWO project deliverables as described in the project proposal
• Collaborate with other teams and sections at ECMWF, as well as with external project partners

What we’re looking for:

• Highly collaborative work attitude with the ability to establish excellent working relations with members of other teams at ECMWF as well as external partners
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach, combined with a desire to grow in the role
• Ability to take the initiative and take decisions independently
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to users and collaborators
• Dedication, passion, and enthusiasm to succeed both individually and across teams of developers
• Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines

Your profile:

Education

• Advanced university degree (EQ7 level or above) or equivalent professional experience in computer science or engineering, computational science, physics or natural sciences, mathematics, or a related discipline

Experience

• Demonstrated experience developing software in a compiled language, preferably C/C++ or Fortran
• Demonstrated experience developing object-oriented software
• Demonstrated experience with UNIX/Linux commands and shell scripting is desirable
• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) and networking is an advantage
• Experience developing scientific software on distributed systems is an advantage

Skills 

• Demonstrated ability of programming in UNIX/Linux systems
• Experience with Build Systems (e.g. CMake) is desirable
• Competence in at least one compiled programming language, preferably C/C++ or Fortran
• Ability to write software for scientific-computing application on distributed high-performance computing (HPC) architectures would be advantageous
• 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

If you feel that you have the relevant profile and motivation to join us but don’t meet precisely all of the desired skills or those that are ‘an advantage’ we encourage you to apply!

Other information

Grade remuneration:  The successful candidates will be recruited at the A2 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at . 

Starting date:  As soon as possible

Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station. As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking, including away from the duty station (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

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

Who can apply

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States, as well as from all EU Member States.  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.