At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research on land-atmosphere interactions and their impact on climate predictions.
- Company: Join ECMWF, a leader in Earth-system modelling and weather forecasting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work with cutting-edge technology and international partners on impactful projects.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in climate science and contribute to global greenhouse gas monitoring.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in relevant field and experience in Earth-system modelling.
Your role involves land-atmosphere interactions, including their links with atmospheric composition, which play a key role in Earth-system prediction and monitoring. Vegetation, wildfire activity, and the terrestrial carbon cycle affect greenhouse gases and pollutant fluxes, while weather and climate shape the evolution of the land surface. Representing these interactions consistently in ECMWF's operational prediction systems is important for delivering world-leading weather forecasts and atmospheric composition services in the framework of the EU's Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS).
We are seeking a Senior Scientist to help shape ECMWF's approach to representing land-surface processes that influence atmospheric composition, greenhouse-gas fluxes, and the carbon cycle. You will help steer scientific direction in these areas while directly contributing to model development, experimentation, and evaluation, with the aim of advancing ECMWF's operational Earth-system prediction and atmospheric-composition capabilities. A particular focus will be on vegetation-fire interactions, carbon-cycle processes, and land-surface fluxes, in ECMWF physics-based and AI-based models.
You will play a key role in ECMWF's contributions to the CoFLAME and EUFOR-G3W Horizon Europe EU projects, ensuring that scientific advances from these projects feed into ECMWF's wider modelling activities and CAMS capabilities, including the CO2 Monitoring and Verification Support capacity (CO2MVS). You will also coordinate the EUFOR-G3W project and lead ECMWF's engagement with the European Commission, project partners, WMO, and the wider greenhouse-gas community. EUFOR-G3W supports WMO's Global Greenhouse Gas Watch initiative, which brings together observing and modelling capabilities to strengthen the monitoring of greenhouse gases from national to global scales.
About the Land Modelling Team: The Land Modelling Team is part of the Earth System Modelling Section in ECMWF's Research Department. It advances the representation of land-surface processes and land-atmosphere interactions and supports the operational configurations of ECMWF's physics-based and AI-based forecasting systems, the IFS and AIFS, and land components, ecLand and aiLand. The team's work spans soil, vegetation, urban surfaces, cryosphere, hydrology, lakes, wildfires, methane and carbon-dioxide fluxes, and their coupling with the atmosphere, including links with atmospheric composition. It works closely with colleagues specialising in atmospheric composition, data assimilation, atmospheric modelling, machine learning, evaluation, and operations, as well as with Member and Co-operating States and external partners, to support the delivery of world-leading Earth-system predictions and atmospheric-composition services.
Your responsibilities include:
- Helping steer scientific direction for land-atmosphere composition interactions across ECMWF's physics-based and AI-based systems, ensuring that scientific advances translate into improved prediction capabilities, including CAMS greenhouse-gas and atmospheric-composition capabilities and CO2MVS.
- Further advancing and evaluating the representation of vegetation, wildfires, carbon-cycle processes, and land-surface fluxes, using Earth observations and other relevant datasets to constrain the models and assess impacts across the coupled Earth system.
- Coordinating EUFOR-G3W, working closely with the consortium to ensure effective and timely delivery of the project's objectives and commitments to the European Commission.
- Strengthening ECMWF's engagement with WMO G3W and taking a proactive role in collaborations with the wider greenhouse-gas observation, modelling, data-assimilation, and inverse-modelling communities, representing ECMWF where appropriate.
- Designing numerical experiments, developing robust scientific software, and supporting the transition of scientifically mature developments towards operational use.
What we are looking for:
We are looking for someone who combines deep scientific expertise in related areas with demonstrated experience coordinating complex scientific activities across teams and organisations. You will be able to shape work across related areas while contributing to the underlying scientific advances, bringing people together across teams and institutions to deliver common objectives. You will bring:
- Excellent scientific judgement, with the ability to develop a coherent approach and make clear choices across complex scientific activities.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and a rigorous approach to Earth-system model development, experimentation, and evaluation.
- The ability to steer complex scientific activities while contributing directly to the work.
- The ability to coordinate cross-cutting activities across teams and organisations and ensure delivery of shared objectives.
- Clear and credible communication skills, including the ability to influence discussions and represent ECMWF effectively in European and international settings.
- Strong organisational skills and resilience, with the ability to manage competing scientific, project, and operational demands.
Your profile:
Education: An advanced university degree or equivalent professional experience, in a relevant field.
Essential experience and knowledge:
- A substantial scientific track record in Earth-system modelling, with deep expertise in land-surface processes and their links with atmospheric composition, greenhouse-gas fluxes, or the carbon cycle.
- Significant experience developing and evaluating Earth-system prediction systems, including through numerical experimentation and the use of Earth observations or other relevant datasets.
- Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating complex scientific activities involving international partners or expert groups.
- Good knowledge of Copernicus and CAMS atmospheric-composition and greenhouse-gas activities, and their links with wider European observing and modelling capabilities.
- Experience engaging with WMO or related international greenhouse-gas communities, together with knowledge of WMO G3W and its objectives.
Desirable experience and knowledge:
- Experience with AI or machine-learning methods for Earth-system prediction, particularly for land-surface or carbon-cycle applications.
- Experience developing scientifically robust software and conducting large numerical experiments in high-performance computing environments.
- Experience with land-surface data assimilation, atmospheric inversion methods, or the use of satellite observations for model development and evaluation.
Languages: Candidates must be able to work effectively in English. A good knowledge of one of the Centre's other working languages (French or German) is an advantage.
If you feel that you have the motivation and many of the skills for this role but don't meet precisely all of the criteria listed above, we still encourage you to apply.
About the CoFLAME project: The Copernicus Fire and Land-Atmosphere Modelling of Emissions (CoFLAME) project will advance the representation of interactions between wildfires and vegetation and improve the conversion of observed fire radiative power into emissions of atmospheric pollutants in the CAMS Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS).
About the EUFOR-G3W project: EUFOR-G3W will provide scientific and technical advances and targeted support for implementing WMO's Global Greenhouse Gas Watch. It will strengthen the coordinated European contribution to global greenhouse-gas monitoring by improving the interoperability, operational readiness, and accessibility of European observation and modelling systems. The project will connect observations, prior flux estimates, atmospheric modelling, data assimilation, and inversion systems to support consistent greenhouse-gas monitoring from regional to global scales. It will advance interoperable and AI-ready data pipelines, land and ocean flux products, atmospheric footprint modelling, benchmarking, and uncertainty assessment. It will also strengthen international cooperation, promote the uptake of European capabilities within WMO G3W, and develop recommendations for the longer-term contribution of European greenhouse-gas monitoring systems to scientific and policy needs.
About Copernicus and CAMS: Copernicus is the flagship Earth observation component of the European Union (EU) space programme. Based on the exploitation of space-based and Earth observations and scientific models, Copernicus provides validated information services for land, marine, atmosphere, and climate monitoring, as well as emergency management and security. These services, and their free, open, and quality-assured data and tools, support a range of environmental and security applications across sectors and policy domains. ECMWF has been entrusted to operate two of these Services - the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) - on behalf of the European Commission, as well as being a contributor to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to atmospheric composition, including air pollutants and greenhouse gases, solar energy, and climate forcing, everywhere in the world.
Senior Scientist - Land-Atmosphere Composition Interactions in Reading employer: ECMWF
ECMWF is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in the field of climate science. With a strong commitment to employee growth, ECMWF provides opportunities for professional development through engaging projects and international networking, all while promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect. Located in a vibrant European setting, employees benefit from a hybrid working model that supports work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in atmospheric monitoring.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist - Land-Atmosphere Composition Interactions in Reading
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at ECMWF, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist - Land-Atmosphere Composition Interactions in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at ECMWF. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at ECMWF. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at ECMWF
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at ECMWF. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at ECMWF to drive research projects forward.
