Job reference: VN25-016
Salary and Grade: Grade A4 GBP 104,785 (Reading/UK) or EUR 127,848 (Bonn/Germany) NET annual basic salary + other benefits
Deadline for applications: 08/06/2025
Department: Research
Location: Reading, UK or Bonn, Germany
Contract type: STF-C
Publication date: 01/05/2025
Contract Duration: 4 years, with possibility of further contracts
Job summary
We are seeking to recruit a Head of Section for the Sub-seasonal to Seasonal section within the Research department at ECMWF. The section consists of two teams (one on each of sub-seasonal and seasonal prediction) and is responsible for delivering improvements to the operational prediction systems through innovative research. Recent innovations have included upgrades to the sub-seasonal prediction system (introducing new science and running larger ensembles every day rather than twice-weekly) and developments towards the forthcoming new seasonal prediction system (SEAS6), which will for the first time extend some forecasts out to two years based on demonstrated skill for El Niño.
ECMWF has fully embraced machine-learning, looking to make the most of both physics-based (IFS) and data-driven methods (and hybrids of the two). An important and exciting part of this role will be further exploring the potential and application of machine learning specifically to the challenges of both sub-seasonal and seasonal prediction.
The role requires close collaboration with other sections within ECMWF, in particular with respect to common interests around developments to the IFS and machine learning models, reanalyses and further the development of diagnostics and products (including in the context of Copernicus). The work of the section also benefits from strong links to the broader external scientific community, engaging with international research programmes and projects, other modelling centres and academia.
Role responsibilities
- Leading the Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Section by providing scientific direction, coaching and support, including direct management of the Team Leaders in the Section
- Initiating and stimulating scientific developments, in particular with an increased emphasis on the application of machine learning to sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasting
- Delivering improvements to the operational sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasting systems
- Planning, organising and managing the resources of the Section, and complementing these when appropriate by attracting funds from externally funded projects and by developing further collaborations
- Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key internal stakeholders from across all departments at ECMWF to ensure delivery of diagnostics, scientific advances and upgrades to the forecasting systems
- Acting as a member of the Research Department Management Team and of the ECMWF Senior Management Team
What we're looking for
- Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to motivate and develop diverse and geographically distributed teams, whilst creating a compelling scientific vision
- Positive attitude with a willingness to embrace change and new challenges
- Good technical skills, diplomacy, and tact
- Ability to develop strong relationships and influence others
- Excellent organizational skills to ensure delivery of multiple projects to diverse funders
Education
- An advanced university degree (EFQ Level 8 or above) in a relevant subject or equivalent experience is essential.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent scientific knowledge and experience in areas relevant to sub-seasonal to seasonal prediction.
- An understanding of machine learning is highly desirable.
- Management experience in research, ideally in an operational environment
- Excellent ability to analyse complex, diverse, and sometimes conflicting requirements and to deploy adequate strategic responses
- Experience of successfully obtaining and utilizing additional funding to deliver strategic objectives
- Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English
- A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) would be an advantage
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you fully meet all these criteria.
About ECMWF
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world leader in Numerical Weather Predictions providing high-quality data for weather forecasts and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation we collaborate internationally to serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions, data and training activities that are critical to contribute to safe and thriving societies.
The success of our activities depends on the funding and partnerships of our 35 Member and Co-operating States who provide the support and direction of our work. Our talented staff together with the international scientific community, and our powerful supercomputing capabilities, are the core of a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions. We also hold one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world.
Our mission: Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States
Our vision: World-leading monitoring and predictions of the Earth System enabled by cutting-edge physical, computational and data science, resulting from a close collaboration between ECMWF and the members of the European Meteorological Infrastructure, will contribute to a safe and thriving society
In addition, ECMWF has established a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme, as well as being a contributor 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.
ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters in Reading, UK, a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany as a central location for our EU-related activities. ECMWF is internationally recognised as the voice of expertise in numerical weather predictions for forecasts and climate science.
www.ecmwf.int
About Copernicus www.copernicus.eu
About Destination Earth destine.ecmwf.int
Other information
Grade remuneration: The successful candidates will be recruited according to the salary scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. In addition to basic salary, ECMWF also offers an attractive benefits package. To find out more about working with us and for full details of salary scales and allowances, please visit www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs/working-ecmwf.
Starting date: 01 October 2025
Location: Reading, UK or Bonn, Germany (Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station)
Remote work: As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking. This allows for 10 remote working days per month away from the office, including up to 80 days per calendar year outside from the duty station country (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).
Interviews will take place by videoconference (MS Teams). If you require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment process, please let us know.
To contact the ECMWF Recruitment Team, please email [email protected].
Who can apply
Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button below. Please note applications can no longer be made after 23:59 hours BST (UK time) on the closing date.
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.
ECMWF Member and Co-operating States are: 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 (note: ECMWF will not be able to assist with leaving the country).
Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.
