Date of issue: 4 March 2008
FUNCTION:
Consultants to work on the use of space-borne cloud radar/lidar in
NWP (2 positions)
REFERENCE NO:
AP08-08
LOCATION:
ECMWF Headquarters at Shinfield Park, near Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
ENVIRONMENT:
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an international
organisation supported by 30* States.
ECMWF’s principal objectives are the development of numerical methods for medium-range
and seasonal weather forecasting; the preparation, on a regular basis, of medium-range and
long-range weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological services of the Member
States; scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of these forecasts; and
the collection and storage of appropriate meteorological data. Satellite and in situ
observations provide the information for up-to-date global analyses of the atmosphere, ocean
and surface. For more information, see:
www.ecmwf.int
MAIN DUTIES:
ECMWF is in the negotiation phase with ESA for a contract on the "Quantitative Assessment
of the operational value of space-borne Radar and Lidar measurements of cloud and aerosol
profiles (QuARL)". The purpose of the study is to advise ESA on the potential of the future
EarthCARE mission (which has a cloud radar and a cloud/aerosol lidar) for numerical
weather prediction (NWP), by using the currently available CloudSat/CALIPSO
observations. Emphasis will be on the verification of clouds and aerosols and on the
development and evaluation of data assimilation techniques for cloud profiling data.
The new consultants will also be actively involved in the development and/or modification of
forward operators to support these activities.
The project will be a collaborative activity between the Physical Aspects (PA) Section and
the Satellite (SAT) Section, both part of the Research Department at ECMWF. It builds on an
ongoing project to make use of satellite radiances in rainy and cloudy areas.
The PA Section carries out research into the parametrization of sub-grid processes (e.g.
clouds) and maintains a simplified version of the schemes (including linear/adjoint) to
support data assimilation. The SAT Section carries out research into the use of a wide range
of satellite data in ECMWF's operational data assimilation system.
Consultant 1 will be working in the SAT Section on:
 Adaptation/development of observation operators for matching satellite radar/lidar
observations with other satellite observations
 Evaluation of atmospheric motion vector height (derived from tracking of
cloud/water vapour features) assignment
 Evaluation of cloud detection obtained from atmospheric sounder data
 Evaluation of cloud analyses obtained from microwave imager data
 Development of a prototype radar/lidar data monitoring system
AP08-08
Consultant 2 will be working in the PA Section on:
 Adaptation/development of observation operators for matching satellite radar/lidar
observations with model fields
 Validation of cloud and aerosol parameterizations
 Development of satellite lidar/radar data assimilation strategies
 Experimental assimilation of satellite radar/lidar data
QUALIFICATIONS:
A university degree to PhD level or equivalent is required with a good general knowledge of
meteorology and some experience with large scale models. Good programming skills
(Fortran in a Unix environment) and experience in using modern data analysis tools
(statistical analysis and visualization) are also required. Experience in one or more of the
following areas would be an advantage: cloud and/or aerosol verification, data assimilation,
development of tangent linear and adjoint code, use of satellite data in NWP, use of cloud
radar/lidar.
A good working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of one or more of the
Centre's other working languages (German and French) is an advantage.
REMUNERATION:
Typically within the range of £3,532 to £4,892 per month net of tax, depending upon
qualifications, experience, personal situation and eligibility for expatriation allowance. A
deduction of either £32.65 per beneficiary or 4.26% of the monthly remuneration will be
made for the supplementary health insurance scheme.
STARTING DATE:
1st July 2008
LENGTH OF
CONTRACT:
One-year contract initially, with the likely extension of a second year.
APPLICATIONS:
Application forms can be downloaded from ECMWF’s website:
www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/
CLOSING DATE:
*
Completed applications for this post must reach the Director of the European Centre for
Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 18 April 2008.
The ECMWF Member States are: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.
The ECMWF Co-operating States are: Czech Republic, Montenegro, Estonia, Croatia, Iceland, Lithuania,
Hungary, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia.