Consultant (Scientist) position on land surface data assimilation

Reference no.: AP10-16

Location:

ECMWF Headquarters at Shinfield Park, near Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom

Environment:

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an international organisation supported by 32 States*. Its prime objectives are the operational production of analyses, medium-range forecasts of weather and ocean waves and seasonal forecasts, as well as scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of these forecasts. ECMWF operates a large computing facility including supercomputers, data archiving systems and networks. For details see:

www.ecmwf.int

The selected candidate will work in the Data Assimilation Section of the Research Department to improve the land surface assimilation scheme. This will be done in close collaboration with the Physical Aspects Section that is responsible for land surface modelling.

ECMWF has recently developed and implemented an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) soil moisture analysis that enables assimilation of ASCAT soil moisture data in the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS). A new Optimum Interpolation snow analysis scheme is also being implemented. The main duties will be to combine snow and soil moisture data assimilation in the EKF surface analysis, with the aim to improve the accuracy of soil moisture and surface state variables.

Main duties:

PhD level or equivalent in Meteorology or a related subject.  Experience in data assimilation or land surface parameterization is required. Good knowledge of Fortran programming and UNIX scripting is desirable.

Remuneration:

Typically within the range of £3,795.24 to £5,255.00 per month net of tax, depending upon qualifications, experience, personal situation and eligibility for expatriation allowance. A deduction of either £33.62 per beneficiary or 4.38% of the monthly remuneration will be made for the supplementary health insurance scheme.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Length of contract: 18 months, with possibility for extension if continued EUMETSAT funding is assured.

Applications: Application forms in word format can be downloaded from here (162kb) and completed on-line. If you download, you may (if near to the closing date) e-mail the completed form only back to ECMWF at jobs@ecmwf.int. Please note, however, that you must still send your full application form together with all the attachments to ECMWF by post. Under no circumstances should you e-mail your attachments.

Closing date: Completed applications for this post must reach the Personnel Section of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 27 August 2010.

[Version française] [Deutsche Fassung]

* The ECMWF Member States are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, 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, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.