Research Software Engineer for Destination Earth Reading 2024

We are in search of a highly motivated Research Software Engineer (A2) to work on the development of data output and on-the-fly post-processing, executing data-processing tasks in memory directly on model output. This role is an integral part of a dynamic team, consisting of scientists and software engineers contributing to the key activities at ECMWF in the framework of Destination Earth (DestinE).

At ECMWF, you will find a passionate community, collectively aiming to bring novel technology and science to the cutting-edge of numerical weather prediction and, more recently, to high-resolution climate modelling. In this role, you will explore and innovate solutions to integrate our services on streaming model output and on-the-fly post-processing into a range of Earth-system models. This is an integral part of serving weather and climate data to a growing number of downstream users: our member states, commercial customers, and impact modellers, who are highly reliant on the timely delivery of weather and climate data. It is a significant element in both our core mission and our obligations in key European Union initiatives. You will be expected to bring creative insights into integrating simulation and data-processing systems and execute them on different high-performance computing (HPC) architectures.

ECMWF is one of three organisations entrusted to deliver Destination Earth (DestinE), a flagship initiative of the European Commission to develop a highly accurate digital model of the Earth on a global scale. In the framework of ECMWF’s contribution to the initiative, you will work on the Digital Twin Engine (DTE), a set of interoperable software components and services that support end-to-end execution of the Digital Twins (DT), highly accurate digital replicas of the global Earth system. You will work most closely on the integration of MultIO, the DTE component that facilitates efficient data output and on-the-fly processing of model data, into distributed Earth-system models.

The role sits in the Model Data Services team, within the Development Section in the Forecast Department. The team’s primary focus is the set of services that directly interact with Earth-system models. This includes efficient model output, in-situ and on-the-fly data processing and diagnostics, interfaces to machine learning, output control and other services with close links to model execution. This effort is dedicated to the integration of these services into Earth-system models, primarily the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), but also other Digital Twins in DestinE. This effort supports ECMWF’s strategy of producing cutting‐edge science and world-leading weather predictions and monitoring of the Earth system.

This contract is funded by Destination Earth and will collaborate closely with other activities at ECMWF Member States and with our partners at ESA and EUMETSAT.

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 ML across our operations.

ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the EU Copernicus Programme. We also contribute to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. 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.

The Destination Earth DestinE initiative

ECMWF is one of the three entities entrusted to implement the 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 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

In this role you will

• Develop and support the use of the DestinE Digital Twin Engine component ‘MultIO’.
• Integrate MultIO into multiple DestinE Digital Twins.
• Execute DT benchmarks and assess the impact of various output and on-the-fly data processing configurations on performance and usability.
• Collaborate with external partners and subcontractors in the framework of DestinE; support them with executing benchmarks as well as production-like runs with different DestinE DTs.
• Support users with the adoption of MultIO (API, configuration and examples).

What we're looking for

• Highly collaborative approach to work with the ability to establish excellent working relations with members of other teams at ECMWF as well as external partners.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach, combined with a desire to grow in the role.
• Ability to take the initiative and take decisions independently.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to users and collaborators.
• 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.

Your education skills and experience

• Advanced university degree (EQ7 level or above) or equivalent professional experience in computer science or engineering, computational science, physics or natural sciences, mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience developing software in a compiled language, preferably C/C++ or Fortran.
• Demonstrated ability of programming in UNIX/Linux systems.
• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) and networking is an advantage.
• Experience developing scientific software on distributed systems is an advantage.
• Experience with Build Systems (e.g. CMake) is desirable.
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English.
• Good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) is an advantage.

If you feel that you have the relevant profile and motivation to join us but don't meet precisely all of the desired skills or those that are 'an advantage' we encourage you to apply!

Other information

Grade remuneration: The successful candidates will be recruited at the A2 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-PS  as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs.

Starting date:  As soon as possible

Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station. As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking, including away from the duty station (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

Interviews by videoconference (MS Team) are expected to take place shortly after the closing date.

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: 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.