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VN 24/49 Remote Sensing Scientist – Precipitation Products

Within the Remote Sensing and Products Division (RSP), in the Passive Microwave and Radio Occultation (PMRO) Competence Area, the Remote Sensing Scientist will support the development, scientific validation and evolution of Level 2 solid and liquid phase precipitation products derived from data from the current and future EUMETSAT satellite systems, and third-party missions operated or supported by EUMETSAT.

The RSP Division at EUMETSAT is tasked with providing the scientific expertise required to develop, implement, validate, maintain and evolve the operational observational products for all EUMETSAT satellites and agreed third party missions, as well as establishing the user requirements for future EUMETSAT satellite programmes. Joining EUMETSAT as Remote Sensing Scientists in RSP offers a unique opportunity to develop a professional career in a highly motivating environment.

Duties

The main duties will be as follows:

  • Acquire and maintain an in-depth understanding of the observational capabilities of passive microwave missions to support EUMETSAT and Copernicus users with a focus on cloud and precipitation products, also considering combined products using Visible/Infrared data from geostationary satellites.
  • Support the development or improvement of algorithms for the extraction of environmental and climate products in the areas of passive microwave radiometry, considering requirements from user communities.
  • Support the definition, development, prototyping, operational implementation, and evolution of algorithms and processing software for the extraction of products from passive microwave instruments data from EUMETSAT, Copernicus and third-party missions.
  • Support the quality monitoring, calibration and validation of operational products derived from passive microwave data, based on interactions with the user communities.
  • Initiate, follow and manage in-house and external scientific studies relevant to the future development of operational products.
  • Engage with the global precipitation community and play an active role in relevant operational and scientific interactions, to support the development and maintenance of a relevant set of requirements, community standards and best practices for hydrological applications.
 

LOCATION

Darmstadt, Germany

QUALIFICATIONS

A University degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Sciences, Remote Sensing, Environmental Physics, or another relevant discipline.

LANGUAGES

The official languages of EUMETSAT are English and French. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and have some knowledge of French.

DEADLINE

6 January 2025

Duties

The main duties will be as follows:

  • Acquire and maintain an in-depth understanding of the observational capabilities of passive microwave missions to support EUMETSAT and Copernicus users with a focus on cloud and precipitation products, also considering combined products using Visible/Infrared data from geostationary satellites.
  • Support the development or improvement of algorithms for the extraction of environmental and climate products in the areas of passive microwave radiometry, considering requirements from user communities.
  • Support the definition, development, prototyping, operational implementation, and evolution of algorithms and processing software for the extraction of products from passive microwave instruments data from EUMETSAT, Copernicus and third-party missions.
  • Support the quality monitoring, calibration and validation of operational products derived from passive microwave data, based on interactions with the user communities.
  • Initiate, follow and manage in-house and external scientific studies relevant to the future development of operational products.
  • Engage with the global precipitation community and play an active role in relevant operational and scientific interactions, to support the development and maintenance of a relevant set of requirements, community standards and best practices for hydrological applications.

Skills and Experience

  • Advanced knowledge of remote sensing physics relevant to measurements from passive microwave and Visible/Infrared instruments, including demonstrated experiences with inversion methods.
  • Advanced understanding of precipitation processes, cloud microphysics and hydrological cycle.
  • Experience with advanced (e.g. 3D) radiative transfer modelling, hydrometeor orientation and their polarization effects, and cloud microphysical properties parameterization would be an advantage.
  • Proven experience with Earth Observation data processing algorithms, preferably for the processing and Cal/Val of Level-2 products from space-borne passive microwave instruments. Familiarity with EUMETSAT passive microwave missions is an asset.
  • Proven experience in developing scientific applications software, application of numerical methods and algorithmic development using programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, and Fortran or C/C++.
  • Strengths in analysis, synthesis and presentation.
  • Demonstrated experience with scientific development projects and working with user communities and researchers.
  • Demonstrable learning orientation and the willingness to expand own knowledge/skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, combined with a proven ability to work within a team and between teams.

Employment Conditions

The initial contract will be of 4 years’ duration, with subsequent 5 year contracts being awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit to the amount of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63 and there are certainly opportunities to establish a long career perspective at EUMETSAT.
This post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary for this post is EURO 7146 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances) which may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience. The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment, and scales are reviewed by the EUMETSAT Council with effect from 1 January each year. In addition to basic salary, EUMETSAT offers attractive benefits. Further information, including salary details, is available on the EUMETSAT web site.

EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
Please note that only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. The EUMETSAT Convention requires that Staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, account being taken of the international character of EUMETSAT.

About EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency. Its role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation's Member States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide.

EUMETSAT also operates several Copernicus missions on behalf of the European Union and provide data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users.

As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT has 30 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.)

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