Indirizzo
Forma di lavoroJob reference: VN24-06
Salary and Grade: Grade A2 GBP 71,451 (Reading/UK) or EUR 86,824 (Bonn/Germany) NET annual basic salary + other benefits
Deadline for applications: 18/02/2024
Department: Research
Location: Reading, UK or Bonn, Germany
Contract type: STF-PS
Publication date: 18/01/2024
Contract Duration: To 31 May 2026, with the possibility of further extension subject to funding
Your role
We are searching for a highly motivated Scientific Software Engineer to join the Integrated Forecast Systems (IFS) Systems Development team. In this role, you will have a particular focus on the rapidly developing Machine Learning (ML) Big Data workflows being created within the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative, ensuring that they are well integrated into our existing software infrastructure, developing the processes for testing and validation of changes before operational deployment, and supporting operational running of Machine Learning solutions.
At ECMWF, you will find a passionate community, collectively aiming to build world-leading global Earth system models for numerical weather prediction and climate simulations. ECMWF has been the first operational weather centre to publish results of its own global machine-learned weather model – the Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS) –and the latest predictions are continuously updated on the web. Within DestinE, ECMWF will develop and deploy workflows for training and running machine-learned Earth system components of a European foundation model based on existing DestinE traditional simulation and modelling results.
The successful applicant’s work with the colleagues contributing to DestinE Digital Twins and ML activities will enable ECMWF to bring innovative Machine Learning approaches into the DestinE workflow. This effort supports the implementation of DestinE and ECMWF’s strategy of producing cutting‐edge science and world-leading weather predictions and monitoring of the Earth system.
About the IFS Development Team
The IFS Systems Development team is responsible for the software infrastructure underpinning ECMWF’s forecasting models – including user interfaces for configuring the model systems, workflow management of the complex suites running the model systems, and the shell/Python scripts which execute individual components of the suites. The IFS Section as a whole, takes responsibility for developing, maintaining and testing the forecasting software stack, and co-ordinating the handover to the teams responsible for operational deployment. This post will extend the Section’s remit to include Machine Learning workflows in these activities in the framework of DestinE.
About ECMWF
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world-leader in weather and environmental forecasting. As an international organisation we serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions and data that is critical for understanding and solving the climate crisis. We function as a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions, holding one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world. The success of our activities builds on the talent of our scientists and experts, strong partnerships with 35 Member and Co-operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies and Machine Learning across our operations. ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with a main office in Reading, UK, a data centre/supercomputer in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany.
ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth Initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.
See www.ecmwf.int for more info about what we do.
The Destination Earth (DestinE) Initiative
ECMWF is one of the three entities entrusted to implement the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative of the European Commission, alongside ESA and EUMETSAT as partners. DestinE aims to deploy several highly accurate thematic digital replicas of the Earth, called Digital Twins. The Digital Twins will help monitor and predict environmental change and human impact, in order to develop and test scenarios that would support sustainable development and corresponding European policies for the Green Deal. ECMWF is responsible for the delivery of these digital twins and of the Digital Twin engine, the software infrastructure needed to power them of some of Europe’s largest supercomputers, those of the European HPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC).
The second phase of DestinE covers the period June 2024 – May 2026, and future phases are foreseen (subject to funding). Phase 2 will focus on early operations with consolidation, maintenance, and continuous evolution of the DestinE system components developed in the first phase. There will also be an enhanced focus on ML activities, including the deployment of workflows of components of a ML model for the Earth system, optimisation of the Digital Twin Engine to enable efficient model training and simulations, and other activities.
For more information on DestinE, see https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/destination-earth-destine and https://www.ecmwf.int/en/about/what-we-do/environmental-services/destination-earth
Your responsibilities
- Augmenting the Destination Earth workflows to support Machine Learning
- Extending existing Continuous Integration (CI) and other testing frameworks to incorporate Machine Learning workflows
- Co-ordination and creation of new ML workflow releases within DestinE, ensuring scientific correctness and optimum use of computational resources
- Collaboration with colleagues in operations to facilitate smooth and timely operational deployment of new ML workflow releases and updates, and support for operational running within DestinE
- Work with domain scientists to review and incorporate new developments into ML workflows, ensuring code and data quality standards
- Collaboration with colleagues across ECMWF in the ongoing development of ML data flows required for training and running ML models
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of the ML workflow software infrastructure
What we're looking for
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive and constructive approach
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with specialists across diverse teams
- Dedication, passion, and enthusiasm to succeed both individually and across teams
- Flexibility, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities
- Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines
- Candidates must be able to work and communicate effectively in English
Education
- A university degree (EQF Level 6 or above) in a physical, computational or mathematical science, or a related subject, or equivalent experience
Experience
- Strong software development skills on complex codebases are required, including experience of using processes for software testing and management
- Proficiency in object-oriented coding in Python and experience of shell scripting in Unix or Linux environments is required
Knowledge and skills
The following skills and experience would be an advantage. However, you are encouraged to apply even if you don’t feel you meet all these criteria.
- Experience of working effectively with scientists and technical specialists
- Experience of High-Performance Computing environments
- Experience of pulling research or prototype developments into time-critical production environments
- Experience in defining and enforcing software assurance standards and working practices
- Experience developing and maintaining interdependent workflows or pipelines of software
- Knowledge or interest in Scientific Software, especially for Machine Learning or meteorological applications
Other information
Grade remuneration: The successful candidates will be recruited at Grade A2, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations and the annual basic salary will be GBP 71,451 (Reading/UK) or EUR 86,824 (Bonn/Germany) NET annual basic salary (ECMWF salaries are exempt of national income tax). In addition to basic salary, ECMWF also offers an attractive package of benefits and entitlements. This position is assigned to the employment category STF-PS as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. To find out more about working with us and for full details of salary scales and allowances, please visit www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs/working-ecmwf.
Starting date: 01 June 2024
Length of contract: The contract duration is expected to be approximately two years up to 31 May 2026. The DestinE initiative as per the Contribution Agreement is divided into phases, the second of which will last approximately two years from June 2024 to June 2026. There may be the possibility of further contract extensions in the future, depending on requirements and funding availability.
Location: This position can be located at either ECMWF's HQ in Reading, UK or its duty station in Bonn, Germany
Remote work: As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking. We allow for remote work 10 days/month away from the office, including up to 80 days/year away from the duty station country (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).
Interviews by videoconference (MS Teams) are expected to take place during March 2024. If you require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment process, please contact us.
To contact the ECMWF Recruitment Team, please email jobs@ecmwf.int.
Who can apply
Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button below.
At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion.
Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States, as well as from all EU Member States.
ECMWF Member and Co-operating States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy.
Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.
