Location
This role will be based in the Reading area, in Berkshire, United Kingdom.

Summary of the role
The Senior Developer/Analyst will work on optimizing the technical performance of the codes and systems needed to produce reanalyses of the coupled climate system. This position is in the Reanalysis Section of the Research Department and will be part of the ERA-CLIM2 project.

About ECMWF
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an independent intergovernmental organisation supported by 34 states.* It carries out scientific and technical research, collects and processes large amounts of observations, and manages a long-term archive of meteorological data on a 24/7 operational basis.

For details, see www.ecmwf.int/.

Overview of the role
The successful candidate will join the Reanalysis Section at ECMWF to work on optimizing the technical performance of the codes and systems needed to produce reanalyses of the coupled climate system. The work will be conducted in collaboration with other scientists and analysts at ECMWF involved in improving the efficiency of the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) on its supercomputing and data handling systems.

The main task of the Reanalysis Section is to develop, produce and disseminate state-of-the-art global reanalysis datasets. These datasets combine a large variety of observations from many different sources to provide a comprehensive description of the climate in the recent past. ECMWF’s reanalyses are made available to external users for research, education, and commercial applications. Reanalysis is a highly rewarding, multi-disciplinary activity involving motivated people with a variety of scientific and technical skills.

ECMWF is leading ERA-CLIM2, an international research project funded by the European Commission with the long-term objective to develop extended climate reanalyses of the coupled Earth system, including atmosphere, land surface, ocean, sea-ice and the carbon cycle. The ERA-CLIM2 project involves collaboration with many institutions in Europe and elsewhere, including universities, climate centres and data providers.

Key responsibilities:

•  To analyze and improve the technical performance of ECMWF’s modelling and data assimilation systems used for producing ERA-CLIM2 climate reanalyses
•  To provide detailed profiling and optimisation of codes with emphasis on improving efficiency on parallel architectures
•  To support other scientists involved in data assimilation development with problem solving and advice on computer related aspects
•  To investigate adaptation of the IFS to future computer architectures, potentially including Graphical Processing Units (GPUs)

Qualifications and experience required
Education
A university degree in meteorology, computer science or a related subject, together with extensive experience in scientific computing on large high-performance computers.

Experience

•  Demonstrated experience working with scientists and technical specialists in an operational environment is highly desirable
•  Previous experience in development of weather forecasting or data assimilation systems would be very helpful
•  Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English

Technical skills and knowledge

•  Proficient with Fortran, C, C++, Python, Perl and korn-shell scripting languages in a UNIX computing environment, and deep knowledge of MPI and OpenMP
•  A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) would be desirable

Personal attributes

•  Excellent communication skills
•  Flexible
•  A pragmatic attitude towards teamwork

Additional information
Grade remuneration
A3, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations.
The successful candidate will be recruited at the A3 grade and the annual basic salary will be £67,589 net of tax. This position is assigned to the employment category STF-PS 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
Two years.

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. However, applications from highly qualified candidates who come from other countries will be considered.

Closing date
The closing date for this position is 19 January 2015.

Interviews for this position are expected to take place between 4 and 13 February 2015.

Please state in the application that you applied via Universitypositions.eu