Scientist – Evaluation and Quality Control of Atmospheric Composition

The role

The operational forecast of atmospheric composition with ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) is a core component of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The IFS is today one of the most comprehensive and advanced systems in the world for data assimilation and forecasting of global atmospheric composition, with operational outputs serving hundreds of users daily and being seen by millions (for instance through CNN, Windy, and other platforms). 

The operational suites delivering the CAMS global forecasts and reanalyses are routinely evaluated by a contracted external consortium. However, continual developments of the configurations used for the CAMS forecasts need careful evaluation as well, both on atmospheric composition and meteorological performance, consistent with what is routinely done for ECMWF’s operational Numerical Weather Predictions. We have established and are now hiring to fill a new role as Scientist (A2).

You will be responsible for the internal Evaluation and Quality Control activities of the atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas configurations of the IFS used for the CAMS forecasts, contribute to the development, maintenance, and use of additional evaluation tools, and interact with colleagues working on the evaluation of the IFS more generally. 

The role is in the Evaluation Section of the Forecast and Services Department at ECMWF. You will work closely with the Atmospheric Composition Section in the Research Department. The role will require significant engagement with ECMWF IFS developers, externally contracted research scientists contributing to the IFS development and evaluation, and colleagues throughout ECMWF. 

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. 

See  for more info about what we do.  

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service

Copernicus is the European Union (EU) flagship Earth-observation programme. The Copernicus programme ensures operational monitoring of the atmosphere, oceans, and continental surfaces and provides reliable, validated information services for a range of environmental and security applications. Based on the exploitation of space based and in situ observations and models, Copernicus provides information services for land, marine, atmospheric and climate monitoring, as well as emergency management and security. For details see  

The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to air pollution and health, solar energy, greenhouse gases and climate forcing, everywhere in the world. For details, see . 

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Lead the internal evaluation of continual developments of the atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas configuration of the IFS used for CAMS global forecasts
• Evaluate atmospheric composition and meteorological aspects of the atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas configurations of the IFS, and compare performance of global and regional CAMS systems
• Contribute to the monitoring of observations relative to atmospheric composition and greenhouse gases
• Coordinate the Evaluation & Quality Control (EQC) activities of the atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas configurations of the IFS in collaboration with the Atmospheric Composition Section, including the technical management of related external CAMS contracts
• Improve the provision of EQC information on the CAMS Atmosphere Data Store
• Provide technical and scientific input to user support and training activities that are within the expertise of the successful applicant

What we are looking for

• Service-oriented attitude and desire to continuously improve ways of working
• Ability to handle multiple complex tasks and manage priorities autonomously
• Collaborative approach to the work
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner
• Dedication, passion, and enthusiasm to succeed both individually and as a fully integrated member of the team
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, particularly listening to and respecting the views of others
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with internal and external experts on related aspects of IFS development

Education

• University degree (EQF level 7 or above) or extensive and equivalent work experience in a relevant field is required

Experience

• Experience in evaluating atmospheric composition datasets is highly desirable
• Scientific experience with atmosphere composition forecasting is desirable
• Extensive experience with the interpretation and processing of atmospheric composition observations from different in-situ networks and remote sensing
• Expertise in weather or climate model evaluation methods and their statistical analysis

Knowledge and Skills

• Very good programming and scripting skills; experience with Python programming and Linus/Unix scripting will be an advantage
• Ability to interact effectively with a range of different stakeholders (technical and non-technical audiences) across a wide range of activities

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

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English . A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) is an advantage.

Other information

Grade remuneration:  The successful candidates will be recruited according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. Full details of salary scales and allowances and ECMWF Staff Regulations are 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 work and telework.

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

If you require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment process, please contact us. 

To contact the ECMWF Recruitment Team, please email jobs@ecmwf.int.

Who can apply

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. 

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. 

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.