Computing and Software Support Specialist (2 positions)

Your role

ECMWF is opening an exciting new position for a Computing and Software Support Specialist (A2) in the User Services Section in the Forecast and Services Department of ECMWF. The Computing and Software Support Team provides technical advice and support to all users of ECMWF software and computing including Member and Co-operating States, ECMWF and public users. As part of a team of eight staff you will provide day-to-day 2nd line support to users and work on continuous improvements of our services, processes and documentation. With a growing user community and constant evolution in technologies we are looking for a dedicated individual with a genuine interest in helping others make the most of ECMWF’s software and platforms. Open data, machine learning and cloud services (e.g. www.europeanweather.cloud) have brought an increased number of data users and diverse applications resulting in the need for outstanding support processes.  
We are looking for a highly organised individual, with a keen interest in latest technological developments, who enjoys managing competing priorities and a variety of tasks. In this role you will have a direct impact on our user community by solving technical issues and shaping our client services and technologies. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are equally important in this role.

Your responsibilities

• Provide technical advice and support on the use of ECMWF computing facilities, cloud services, data access and archiving services and software
• Review, improve and develop processes and workflows to effectively support users
• Provide training on the use of ECMWF’s computing platforms and software to users inside ECMWF, and in Member and Cooperating States
• Contribute to the creation of documentation to support a user self-serve service
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with computing representatives in Member and Cooperating States
• Contribute to quality control activities for forecast model upgrades, providing feedback and providing support to users to adapt to any changes
• Work  with other teams in ECMWF to ensure user needs are met

About the User Services Section…

The team is part of the larger User Services Section with 18 staff providing support and advice to all users of ECMWF computing, data and software services including Member States, Co-operating States, Commercial entities, ECMWF and public users. The section comprises a Computing and Software Support team and Data Support team and is based in Bonn, Germany, and Reading, UK. 

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 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. 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.

See   for more info about what we do. 

What we’re looking for

• Strong and effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach
• Flexibility with the ability to adapt to changing requirements or priorities, user needs and services
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a supportive and user-focused approach.
• Enthusiasm to help others

Education and Experience

• Candidates should have an advanced university degree (EQ7 level or above) or equivalent experience in computer science or engineering, computational science, physics or natural sciences, mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Experience in providing support for computing services in a Linux or Unix environment is required
• Experience in handling user queries and incidents with professionalism leading to successful resolution is required.
• Experience with cloud and/or HPC technologies is desirable
• Relevant experience in providing technical training to users is desirable
• Experience in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) domain is desirable

Skills and knowledge

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English including the writing of technical documentation
• Knowledge of scripting in Linux environments is required
• Knowledge of a modern scripting language such as Python is required
• Knowledge of compiling and running scientific codes on high-performance computing facilities is desirable
• Knowledge of data formats commonly used in meteorology (e.g. GRIB, BUFR, NetCDF) is desirable.
• Knowledge of a high-level programming language, such as Fortran or C/C++ is desirable
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English
• Knowledge of one of ECMWF’s other working languages (French or German) would be an advantage.

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-C  as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. 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

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, Turkey 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.