Remote sensing expert with microwave competence

Do you want to develop operational algorithms for the next generation of microwave instruments onboard European satellites? We are now recruiting at the meteorological unit at SMHI’s research department to exploit these observations for meeting societal needs for short-term weather prediction and more. We offer a stimulating environment with international collaboration and flexible working conditions.

The meteorological unit at SMHI’s research department conducts research and development in weather prediction, climate analysis, understanding atmospheric processes, and air quality. We work with observational data, meteorological analysis and development of models for regional numerical weather forecasts in northern Europe, as well as with remote sensing, climate analysis and air quality on urban to global scales. Today 37 researchers are employed at the unit, and the research department has about 110 employees. A large part of our work is externally funded and we are successful in securing both national and European funding.

You will primarily work within a long term EUMETSAT project (Satellite Application Facility for Nowcasting) on new cloud and precipitation products  for operational real time use. Supporting the operational team with implementing, testing and maintenance of algorithms and software will, later on, be part of your tasks. Within the project we will – amongst other data from sensors - use data from MW instruments and sub-mm instruments (MWS, MWI and ICI) onboard EUMETSAT’s new generation of polar-orbiting satellites, as well as data from ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite AWS. A smaller part of your time will be dedicated to supporting other microwave-related projects, for example projects related to the assimilation of MW data into high resolution numerical weather prediction systems.

We value a good working environment with a balance between work and free time - to contribute to our employees’ quality of life. We strive for a workplace characterized by diversity and where different strengths and experiences can complement each other. The position is open-ended and situated in Norrköping.

Your profile

You hold a university degree in physics, engineering, meteorology/atmospheric physics, or a comparable discipline and have a sound background in radiative transfer modelling of the MW part of the electromagnetic spectrum. We highly value if you hold a relevant Ph.D.

You have good programming skills and are comfortable working with Python and in a Linux environment. We also use C and Fortran; thus, experience in programming these languages is a merit. Furthermore, since the algorithms you will contribute development to will be implemented in operational drift at SMHI and other weather services, the code must live up to a high standard, be tested, be easy to maintain and be efficient to execute. Therefore, we expect you to be interested in writing “clean code” and further developing your programming skills and working methods.

The following experiences are regarded as additional merits:


• Broad experience of working with satellite data, including handling of large data volumes and validation of satellite products
• Experience in developing algorithms for precipitation retrieval or ice cloud parameter retrieval
• Experience in working with sub-mm wavelengths
• Good knowledge of the ARTS radiative transfer model
• Good knowledge of the RTTOV-SCATT radiative transfer model
• Experience in AI/ML
• Experience in data assimilation

We appreciate you being motivated to solve societal problems and actively seek dialogue and collaboration with end-users of satellite products. You are interested in supporting the entire processing chain from scientific and technical development to operational production and final use of products. In addition, you contribute to identifying new end user needs, product opportunities, and writing proposals.

As a person, you are communicative and smoothly collaborate with others. You have good skills in communicating your results both internally and externally. You are structured and used to planning, organizing, executing and documenting your work efficiently. You set up and keep time lines.

Good skills in both written and spoken English are required. Knowing Swedish is an advantage. If you do not speak Swedish yet, we require a special effort to learn the language.

Do you want to know more?

Contact project manager Anke Thoss or acting group manager Susanna Hagelin for more information about this job opportunity. For more information regarding the recruitment process, contact HR specialist Kristina Ebbeson. Union representatives are Thomas Bosshard for ST and Lennart Robertson for Saco-S. All can be reached at +46 11 495 80 00 or by e-mail, firstname.surname@smhi.se.

Your application

We look forward to receiving your application, but not later than 16 January 2022.

 


SMHI is an expert authority with a global outlook and a vital mission to forecast changes in weather, water and climate. With a scientific foundation, we use knowledge, research and services to contribute to a more sustainable society. Every hour of every day, all year round.

Bear in mind that all the documentation and information you send to SMHI in conjunction with your application will be classified as public documents. This means that all the material contained in your application, including attachments, may be disclosed if so requested by a party, on the condition that the information is not subject to confidentiality in accordance with the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act. You should therefore primarily provide such information that you deem to be relevant in relation to the requirements of the position. Think about your own personal privacy, and avoid sharing information that contains sensitive personal data, or information about your health or that of a family member, your political views or religious beliefs.