ABOUT ECMWF:

ECMWF is a world leader in Numerical Weather Predictions providing high-quality data for weather forecasts and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation, we collaborate internationally to serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions, data and training activities that are critical to contribute to safe and thriving societies.
The success of our activities depends on the funding and partnerships of the 35 Member and Co-operating States who provide the support and direction of our work. Our talented staff together with the international scientific community, and our powerful supercomputing capabilities, are the core of a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions. We also hold one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world.
Our vision: The strength of a common goal
Our mission: Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States
ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters in Reading, UK, a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany, as a central location for our EU-related activities. ECMWF is internationally recognised as the voice of expertise in Numerical Weather Predictions for forecasts and climate science.
www.ecmwf.int

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• The Fellow should have a good university degree in Physics, Maths or Meteorology or equivalent and relevant research experience, ideally including PhD or equivalent study. Experience in satellite data analysis and/or data assimilation is particularly desirable.
• Strong computing skills are essential, as the job will involve (a) understanding and modifying the forecasting system, which is mainly written in Fortran-90 and Unix scripts, and (b) making statistical analyses and scientific figures using tools like Python, IDL or Metview.
• The role requires strengths in scientific analysis, synthesis and presentation, and effective time-management skills are highly desirable. Good interpersonal and team working skills are also required, with dedication and enthusiasm to work independently as well as in a small team.
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and a good knowledge of one of the ECMWF’s other working languages (French or German) is desirable but not essential.

THE ROLE:

This interesting EUMETSAT Research Fellowship role is based at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) in Reading, United Kingdom, and aimed at the enhanced exploitation of satellite wind information for Numerical Weather Prediction. The Research Fellow will be in charge of advancing the use of Atmospheric Motion Vectors (AMVs) derived from cloud motions in polar and geostationary satellite observations in ECMWF’s global weather forecast system. The successful candidate will be providing important feedback on AMV product developments to space agencies, in particular EUMETSAT. They will join the Earth System Assimilation Section in the Research Department at ECMWF, working at the forefront of the use of satellite data for Numerical Weather Prediction.

DUTIES:

• Monitoring and assessment of the quality of AMVs from different geostationary and polar orbiting satellites in the operational ECMWF assimilation system. This includes evaluation of new AMV products from upcoming EUMETSAT missions such as Meteosat Third Generation and Metop Second Generation.
• Research and development targeted at advanced exploitation of AMVs in the ECMWF system, such as through extended and refined use of the data (e.g., around tropical cyclones), improved treatment of random or systematic errors, or novel approaches to interpret AMVs.
• Assessment of the interaction between assimilation of AMVs and the derivation of wind information through the direct assimilation of cloud-affected radiances.
• Liaison with space agencies (particularly EUMETSAT) regarding AMV processing developments and new advances.