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Head of the Chemical Aspects Section

2:37:00 PM

Reference no.: AP11-26

Location:

ECMWF Headquarters at Shinfield Park, near Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom

Environment:

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an international organisation supported by 34 States*.

ECMWF’s principal objectives are the development of numerical methods for medium‑range, monthly and seasonal weather forecasting; the preparation, on a regular basis, of these weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological services of the Member States; scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of these forecasts; and the collection and storage of appropriate meteorological data. Satellite and in situ observations provide the information for up-to-date global analyses and reanalyses of the atmosphere, ocean and surface. For details see:

ECMWF’s main computing facility includes supercomputers, archiving and data handling systems. ECMWF is connected to the meteorological telecommunication system and to its Member States via efficient networks linking 44 countries. A detailed description is available at:

Main duties:

The vacancy is for an experienced scientist to head the Chemical Aspects Section in the Research Department. The role of the section is to provide the expertise and the software needed for the representation of atmospheric composition and its interactions with model physics including radiation in the Integrated Forecasting System of ECMWF. The section comprises about 10 scientists, whose positions are currently funded by the European project MACC-II (Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate - Interim Implementation, http://www.gmes-atmosphere.eu) within the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) programme.

MACC-II delivers the GMES pilot services for the atmosphere, covering a range of topics including air quality, long-range-transport of pollutants, radiation and greenhouse gases. ECMWF co-ordinates the project, which is supported by a consortium with 35 other European partners, and is responsible for operating the global data assimilation and forecasting system.

The main areas of activity of the section are:

  • Modelling and data assimilation of greenhouse gases
  • Modelling and data assimilation of aerosols
  • Modelling and data assimilation of reactive gases
  • Modelling of emissions from fires
  • Management of the global data assimilation, production and services component of MACC-II and of its interactions with other components of the project
  • Study of interactions between atmospheric composition and NWP

The head of the Chemical Aspects Section will provide general scientific planning, reporting and leadership for the work of the section, liaise with other section heads on interdisciplinary issues and make a specific contribution to the work in one or more of the areas of activity. In particular, he/she will contribute to MACC-II’s contractual programme of work and to the management of ECMWF’s contribution to the project. He/she will report to the project co-ordinator and head of the Atmospheric Composition Division.

Qualifications:

A university education at PhD level (or equivalent experience) and several years’ post-graduate experience of modelling or data assimilation in atmospheric composition, together with experience as a team leader. Experience of collaborating with space agencies and of participating in projects funded by the European Commission would be advantageous.

The working languages of ECMWF are English, French and German. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and a good knowledge of one of the other working languages would also be desirable. Interviews will be conducted in English.


Remuneration:

Typically within the range of £6,025.00 and £8,079.00 per month net of tax, depending upon qualifications, experience, personal situation and eligibility for expatriation allowance. A deduction of either £28.75 per beneficiary or 3.72% of the monthly remuneration will be made for the supplementary health insurance scheme.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Length of contract: Until 31 July 2014, with the possibility of renewal.

Applications: an application form in Word format can be downloaded from here (162kb) and completed on-line. If you download, you may (if near to the closing date) e-mail the completed form only back to ECMWF at jobs@ecmwf.int. Please note, however, that you must still send your full application form together with all the attachments to ECMWF by post. Under no circumstances should you e-mail your attachments.

Closing date: Completed applications for this post must reach the Personnel Section of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 2 February 2012.

[Version française] [Deutsche Fassung]

* The ECMWF Member States are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, 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, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

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