Scientific/Senior Scientific Software Engineer
Department
Meteorological Office
Business Area
Science and scientific software engineering
Number of Vacancies
1
Location: Region
South West
Location: City/Town
Exeter
Location: Building/Site
Exeter
Grade
Other
Equivalent Grade
RD015
Salary Minimum
£25,500
Salary Maximum
£35,040
Type of Role
Engineering
Science
Science
Reserved/Non Reserved posts
This is a Non Reserved post and is therefore open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals and certain non EEA members
Security
Security Check
Criminal Records Bureau Check
This post requires a Criminal Records Bureau Check
Is a medical required for this post?
Yes
Job Description
The Met Office's world leading status as a global forecasting centre is fundamentally underpinned by our formidable know how in rapidly exploiting data from Earth Observation satellites. These data both drive our forecasts and provide valuable near real time imagery to forecaster desktops.
The role of Satellite Applications (SA) in Weather Science is to ensure that we get rapid access to new satellite data and carefully exploit it using the latest scientific techniques to improve our service to customers. The work of SA is focussed mainly on improving the quality of Met Office NWP forecasts.
The Satellite Data Processing Systems (SDPS) group in SA is responsible for continually developing the operational systems that process the satellite data received in Exeter for onward delivery to a number of internal and external customers. Our systems process both sounder data (used primarily at Level 1 by NWP assimilation applications) and imager data for use with visualisation systems. This post in SDPS will specifically focus on the development of our data processing system for Geostationary satellites such as the Meteosat series.
Specific job purpose
To design, build, maintain and support specialised scientific software applications for the processing of satellite data required to underpin Met Office science programmes.
Specific job responsibilities
To liaise with scientific colleagues in order to understand their requirements for specialised scientific software solutions for the processing of satellite data.
To develop software applications for the processing of satellite data that meet the needs of the scientific community within the Met Office.
To maintain, document and support software applications for the processing of satellite data so as to facilitate their maximum utilisation and longevity.
Adhere to, and contribute to the improvement of, software engineering procedures and standards in order to ensure delivered software solutions meet desired quality criteria.
Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues in order to enhance overall team or group effectiveness.
To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Tigger satellite imagery web site.
The role of Satellite Applications (SA) in Weather Science is to ensure that we get rapid access to new satellite data and carefully exploit it using the latest scientific techniques to improve our service to customers. The work of SA is focussed mainly on improving the quality of Met Office NWP forecasts.
The Satellite Data Processing Systems (SDPS) group in SA is responsible for continually developing the operational systems that process the satellite data received in Exeter for onward delivery to a number of internal and external customers. Our systems process both sounder data (used primarily at Level 1 by NWP assimilation applications) and imager data for use with visualisation systems. This post in SDPS will specifically focus on the development of our data processing system for Geostationary satellites such as the Meteosat series.
Specific job purpose
To design, build, maintain and support specialised scientific software applications for the processing of satellite data required to underpin Met Office science programmes.
Specific job responsibilities
To liaise with scientific colleagues in order to understand their requirements for specialised scientific software solutions for the processing of satellite data.
To develop software applications for the processing of satellite data that meet the needs of the scientific community within the Met Office.
To maintain, document and support software applications for the processing of satellite data so as to facilitate their maximum utilisation and longevity.
Adhere to, and contribute to the improvement of, software engineering procedures and standards in order to ensure delivered software solutions meet desired quality criteria.
Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues in order to enhance overall team or group effectiveness.
To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Tigger satellite imagery web site.
Job Description URLs
Competencies
Essential
A good degree in a numerate science discipline (2.1 or above) and significant postgraduate experience in a relevant area will need to be demonstrated for a Scientific Software Engineer or Senior Scientific Software Engineer role. The breadth and depth of experience will be considered in determining the role that is offered.
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply scientific software engineering techniques for processing large scientific data sets.
Demonstrated ability to work independently on software development tasks and to derive workable solutions to problems in a team environment. A Senior Scientific Software engineer would also be expected to contribute to the development of the skills of other team members and the planning of projects.
Demonstrated ability to work on several software/system engineering projects at a time whilst delivering to strict deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain an engaging scientific web site.
Demonstrated ability to provide effective support to data/system users
Desirable
Demonstrated ability to write scientific software for linux servers and for the IBM supercomputer environment using a software configuration management system.
Experience of unix system administration techniques
Postgraduate experience in the application of satellite data to meteorology, oceanography or climate science.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with colleagues/users in order to successfully elaborate their requirements for new software or system developments.
Demonstrated experience of developing scientific products from geostationary or polar orbiter satellite systems.
Additional supplementary information
There is some scope within this post for a good candidate to pursue scientific research related to the exploitation of geostationary satellite data for meteorology.
Met Office Science Framework
If the successful candidate is currently in a role within the Met Office Scientific Framework, they will ordinarily remain in the role to which they are currently mapped
A good degree in a numerate science discipline (2.1 or above) and significant postgraduate experience in a relevant area will need to be demonstrated for a Scientific Software Engineer or Senior Scientific Software Engineer role. The breadth and depth of experience will be considered in determining the role that is offered.
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply scientific software engineering techniques for processing large scientific data sets.
Demonstrated ability to work independently on software development tasks and to derive workable solutions to problems in a team environment. A Senior Scientific Software engineer would also be expected to contribute to the development of the skills of other team members and the planning of projects.
Demonstrated ability to work on several software/system engineering projects at a time whilst delivering to strict deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain an engaging scientific web site.
Demonstrated ability to provide effective support to data/system users
Desirable
Demonstrated ability to write scientific software for linux servers and for the IBM supercomputer environment using a software configuration management system.
Experience of unix system administration techniques
Postgraduate experience in the application of satellite data to meteorology, oceanography or climate science.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with colleagues/users in order to successfully elaborate their requirements for new software or system developments.
Demonstrated experience of developing scientific products from geostationary or polar orbiter satellite systems.
Additional supplementary information
There is some scope within this post for a good candidate to pursue scientific research related to the exploitation of geostationary satellite data for meteorology.
Met Office Science Framework
If the successful candidate is currently in a role within the Met Office Scientific Framework, they will ordinarily remain in the role to which they are currently mapped
Qualification(s)
A good degree in a numerate science discipline (2.1 or above) and significant postgraduate experience in a relevant area will need to be demonstrated for a Scientific Software Engineer or Senior Scientific Software Engineer role. The breadth and depth of experience will be considered in determining the role that is offered.
Working Pattern
This post is full time and not suitable for part time or job share applicants
Employment Terms: Post Type
Permanent
Employment Terms: Hours
37
Benefits
Competitive benefits, including Civil Service Pension
Interview location and dates
Met Office Exeter, dates to be confirmed.
Contact and further details
For a full job description and details on how to apply, please see the Met Office website at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/jobs
Contact and further details URLs
The Civil Service is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. We also offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our minimum selection criteria.
We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positivity, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs - or any other grounds.
External applicants should note that for posts in Northern Ireland, applications from the Roman Catholic community are particularly welcomed as this group is currently under-represented in our workforce.
We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positivity, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs - or any other grounds.
External applicants should note that for posts in Northern Ireland, applications from the Roman Catholic community are particularly welcomed as this group is currently under-represented in our workforce.
Closing date
17 Jul 2012
Follow link to apply
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