1. Position information
Vacancy No.: VN15-26
Department: Copernicus Services
Grade: A2 Section: n/a
Job Ref. No.: STF-PL/15-26
Reports to: Seasonal Forecast Team Leader
Closing Date: 30 April 2015

2. About ECMWF*
ECMWF is both a research institute and a 24/7 operational service, producing and disseminating
numerical weather predictions to its Member States. ECMWF carries out scientific and technical
research directed to the improvement of its forecasts, collects and processes large amounts of
observations, and manages a long-term archive of meteorological data. Satellite and in situ
observations provide the information for up-to-date global analyses and climate reanalyses of the
atmosphere, ocean and land surface.

For details, see www.ecmwf.int/.

ECMWF has been entrusted to operate the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and
the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) on behalf of the European Commission until the end
of 2020. Copernicus is the European Union (EU) flagship Earth-observation programme. The
programme ensures operational monitoring of the atmosphere, oceans, and continental surfaces,
and will provide reliable, validated information services for a range of environmental and security
applications.

3. Summary of the role
The C3S includes the provision of data and services from a multi-model seasonal forecast system.
ECMWF is responsible for providing one of the models. A Scientist is sought to work on the scientific
and technical development and maintenance of the ECMWF seasonal forecast system. The position
will be in the Copernicus Services Department working closely with the Research Department, where
upgrades to the forecasting system are developed and integrated prior to being made operational.

4. Main duties and key responsibilities
The successful candidate will work as part of the Seasonal Forecast team, to assist in the scientific
and technical development of the seasonal forecast system.

Key responsibilities:

•  Testing the performance of new Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) cycles in seasonal forecast mode
•  Improving and maintaining suites for the off-line generation of initial conditions for stratosphere and land-surface
•  Evaluating the impact of developments in ocean and sea-ice analysis on the ECMWF seasonal forecast system, and on C3S multi-model product generation
•  Testing candidate pre-operational configurations of the seasonal forecast system for inclusion in C3S operational production
•  Contributing to the assessment of operational re-forecast datasets

5. Personal attributes

•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
•  Good analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach

6. Qualifications and experience required
Education
A university degree at PhD level in meteorology or the physical/computational
sciences.

Experience
At least three years of work with numerical weather prediction (NWP), seasonal
forecast or climate models, including substantial work on both technical
development and scientific assessment.
Some experience of seasonal forecast systems is desirable.

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

7. Other information
Grade remuneration
The successful candidate will be recruited at the A2 grade, according to the scales of the
Co-ordinated Organisations and the annual basic salary will be £54,776 net of tax. This position is
assigned to the employment category STF-PL as defined in the Staff Regulations.

Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at
www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs, including the Centre’s Staff Regulations regarding the terms and
conditions of employment.

*Starting date: As soon as possible.
Length of contract: Four years.
Location: The position will be based in the Reading area, in Berkshire, United Kingdom.

8. How to apply
Please apply by completing the online application form available at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs.

ECMWF has an Equal Opportunities Policy and applications from all suitably qualified candidates are
welcome.

Staff are usually recruited from among nationals of the Member States and Co-operating States.

Staff from non-ECMWF States may be considered in exceptional cases where there is a strong need
for a particular competency.

Interviews for this position are expected to take place week commencing 15 June 2015.

* The ECMWF Member States are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.

The ECMWF Co-operating States are Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania and Slovakia.