Research Software Engineer - User Configurable AI-Ready Datasets in Reading

We are looking for a Research Software Engineer (A2) to work on the development of data‑infrastructure services to support Machine Learning (ML) within the European Union’s Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative. ECMWF produces world‑leading scientific datasets. To enable the rapid growth of AI‑model use and training, we have developed prototypes such as Zarr‑FDB, which creates on‑demand, user‑defined views of data stored within our indexed data stores. In this role you will evolve and operationalise these prototypes into robust, user‑facing services and collaborate with production teams, researchers, and infrastructure providers to deliver scalable, high‑performance data access for ML training and DestinE digital twin output.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop and support tools to handle meteorological data for ML training.
• Explore novel technologies and methodologies to improve ML data generation and access, cloud‑optimised data access, and integration with existing services.
• Contribute to the operationalisation of Zarr‑FDB and ongoing production integration and development support for our wider data ecosystem.
• Contribute to tooling and infrastructure for handling DestinE digital twin data.
• Contribute to our open‑source software stack.

What we are looking for:

• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills with a proactive, continuous improvement approach.
• Initiative and ability to work collaboratively with other ECMWF teams while also working independently.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Dedication, passion, and enthusiasm to succeed both individually and across teams of developers.
• Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in an international work environment and with people from diverse backgrounds.

Your profile:

• Advanced university degree (EQ7 level or above) or equivalent professional experience in computer science, engineering, computational science, physics, natural sciences, mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience developing object‑oriented software in C++ and Python (required).
• Experience developing scientific software to process large datasets (advantage).
• Experience bringing prototype systems into operational contexts (advantage).
• Experience developing interfaces between languages including Python, C/C++ and Rust (advantage).
• Experience in system design or network development (advantage).
• Competence in Object‑Oriented Analysis and Design, preferably in C++ or Python (required).
• Demonstrated ability of programming in UNIX/Linux systems (required).
• Familiarity with software lifecycle maintenance (highly desirable).
• Ability to write software in a distributed computing or scientific computing environment (advantage).

Benefits and Details:

• Grade remuneration: The successful candidates will be recruited according to the scales of the Co‑ordinated Organisations. Details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs.
• Starting date: as soon as possible.
• Relocation: Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station, either Bonn, Germany, or Reading, UK. The successful applicant and members of their household will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

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.