Scientist – Atmospheric transport processes

The role

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist to evaluate the representation of tracer transport by convection and turbulent mixing parametrization schemes in the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), to assess uncertainties and to work on the development of testbeds to quantify model improvements. The IFS is used operationally for global forecasting and monitoring of atmospheric composition and the emissions and sinks of greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants within the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at ECMWF. Accurate atmospheric transport modelling for all atmospheric constituents is required for the monitoring and forecasting of atmospheric composition, and is an essential component for the monitoring of anthropogenic emissions using satellite observations of atmospheric concentrations. The successful candidate will work for the Horizon Europe CATRINE (Carbon Atmospheric Research to Improve Numerics and Evaluation) project which aims to evaluate and improve the modelling of tracer transport to support a new operational anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions Monitoring and Verification Support Capacity (CO2MVS) as part of the CAMS services.

This position is based in the Physical Processes Team, responsible for the improved representation of atmospheric processes within the ECMWF IFS. The team is part of the Earth System Modelling Section of the Research Department. You will report to the Physical Processes Team Leader and will work in close collaboration with the Model Uncertainty and the Atmospheric Composition teams, as well as with the CATRINE partners in Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (stratosphere-troposphere exchange) and Wageningen University (clear/cloudy boundary layers) using different modelling tools and observations. 

At ECMWF, you will find a passionate community, collectively aiming to build world-leading global Earth system models for numerical weather prediction. This effort supports ECMWF’s strategy of producing cutting‐edge science and world-leading weather predictions and monitoring of the Earth system. This position is funded by the CATRINE Horizon Europe project and the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.

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 machine learning 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 Destination Earth Initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme. 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. 

ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with a main office in Reading, UK, a data centre/ supercomputer in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany. We appreciate the need for flexibility in the way our staff work. We have  adopted a hybrid work model that allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking, including away from the duty station for up to 10 days/month (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

See www.ecmwf.int for more info about what we do.  

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service and the CO2MVS

ECMWF has been entrusted to operate the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and to establish a new service within CAMS to monitor emissions of CO2, CH4 and relevant air pollutants, referred to as the CO2 Monitoring and Verification Support (CO2MVS) capacity. The CAMS CO2MVS capacity is targeted for operational status in 2026 in order to provide support to the 2028 Global Stocktake using observations from the CO2M satellite constellation as well as other satellite sensors and in-situ networks. The CATRINE project follows in the footsteps of previous and current H2020 and Horizon Europe projects that were set up to scope, design, develop, and implement prototype systems for the future operational CO2MVS (CHE, VERIFY, CoCO2 and CORSO). CATRINE will provide improvements and quality control metrics for modelling tracer transport in the CO2MVS which will be crucial for the reliable use of the satellite observations in the operational system.

Main duties and key responsibilities

• Conducting simulations with the IFS using a variety of tracers (e.g. CO2, Rn222, H2O, SF6) and spatial resolutions, and evaluating different formulations of the parametrizations of convection and turbulent mixing being developed in the IFS
• Evaluating IFS simulations performed in CATRINE with a range of observations and metrics and contributing to model intercomparisons in collaboration with other CATRINE partners
• Performing scientific assessment of uncertainties in tracer transport focusing on the boundary layer and upper-troposphere lower-stratosphere regions using the Stochastically Perturbed Parametrizations (SPP) scheme
• Contributing to deliverables for the CATRINE project and documenting scientific results

What we are looking for

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you meet precisely all these criteria.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to improve models and tools
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision, but also dedicated and enthusiastic about teamwork with willingness to work in close collaboration with other scientists, teams and sections at ECMWF and our partner institutions
• Ability to maintain effective communication and documentation of scientific results
• Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines

Education/experience/knowledge and skills (including language)

• Advanced university degree (EQ7 level or above) in a physical, mathematical or environmental science, or equivalent professional experience
• Experience in atmospheric modelling for weather forecasting or climate prediction
• Experience in programming scientific codes and running numerical simulations
• Experience in handling observational and/or modelling datasets and their statistical analysis
• Experience with parametrizations of convection and turbulence is desirable
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English

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-PL  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:  up to 2.5 years to 31 December 2026

Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station. 

Interviews by videoconference (MS Team) are expected to be arranged within a month of the closing date. 

Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

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, 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. 

ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States are: 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.