Research Software Engineer - Forecast-in-a-Box Developer

Your role

We are seeking a Research Software Engineer (A2) to contribute to the application of the Forecast-in-a-Box concept within the framework of the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative of the European Commission.

Destination Earth is developing Digital Twins of the Earth system, combining high-resolution numerical and machine learning (ML) models. In this context, the Forecast-in-a-Box encapsulates a portable, reproducible and scalable environment that supports experimentation, deployment and downstream product generation for a range of ML models, delivering a fully packaged ML-based modelling chain to users. This builds on ECMWF’s software stack, which also underpins Destination Earth’s Digital Twin Engine.

In this role, you will contribute to the development and implementation of the execution workflows that enable the Forecast-in-a-Box to interface seamlessly with ECMWF’s operational forecasting and post-processing pipelines. This includes ensuring robustness, scalability and performance across distributed high-performance computing and cloud environments and supporting the integration of new post-processing pipelines within the framework.

Working closely with ECMWF scientists, software engineers and Digital Twin Engine developers, you will support the integration of ML models and outputs into coherent, automated workflows. You will contribute to ensuring these workflows are reproducible, maintainable, operationally viable and integrate seamlessly within the Earthkit ecosystem.

The position sits in the Data Processing Services Team in the Development Section in the Forecast and Services Department. You will join a dynamic group working on AI / ML workflows, distributed computing and large-scale data processing. The team plays a central role in evolving ECMWF’s operational post-processing framework and in connecting research innovation with production-grade forecasting systems.

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 the 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.

ECMWF has also developed 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 and the Strengthening Early Earning in Africa (SEWA) Programme. 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.

Our vision : The strength of a common goal

Our mission : Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States

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 DestinE | Destination Earth

ECMWF is one of the entities entrusted with implementing the DestinE initiative of the European Commission , alongside ESA and EUMETSAT, and works closely with over 100 partner institutions across Europe. DestinE delivers high-resolution, configurable digital twins of the Earth system that simulate past, present and plausible future environmental conditions and enable “what-if” scenario exploration.

ECMWF is responsible for the delivery of these digital twins and of the Digital Twin engine, the software infrastructure needed to power the digital twins on the European HPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC) and ECMWF’s supercomputers and to handle and enable access to their data via the DestinE infrastructure, as well as for a range of Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI / ML) activities. These include developments towards an ML Earth system model and a range of AI solutions that increase system interactivity and usability of digital twin data.

The third phase of DestinE (June 2026 June 2028) marks the transition of the Climate Change Adaptation and Weather-induced Extremes Digital Twins, together with the Digital Twin Engine, into sustained operations. During this phase, the focus will be on consolidating, operating, and further evolving these key elements, as well as on maturing the AI Earth-system model components and AI-based solutions developed in phase 2.

The Climate DT is implemented by a partnership led by CSC, currently involving 12 leading climate institutions, supercomputing centres, national meteorological services, academia and industrial partners, through a contract procured by ECMWF.

For more about DestinE and the Climate DT, see https : / / destine.ecmwf.int and https : / / destination-earth.eu .

Your responsibilities

• As part of a team, design, develop and contribute to the evolution of the Forecast-in-a-Box framework.
• Collaborate with Digital Twin Engine developers and ECMWF partners to align Forecast-in-a-Box execution workflows with DestinE standards and services.
• Integrate ML models and post-processing components into the Forecast-in-a-Box environment, in alignment with ECMWF’s operational post-processing framework.
• Adapt ML modelling workflows to diverse computing environments, including resource-constrained operational settings.
• Develop technical documentation, reproducible examples and training materials to support knowledge transfer and long-term sustainability.
• Participate in technical workshops and training activities linked to DestinE and related initiatives.
• Contribute to ECMWF’s open-source software ecosystem, including projects such as Anemoi and Earthkit.

What we are looking for

Your profile

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English; 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 skills above, we still encourage you to apply!

Other information

Grade remuneration : The successful candidates will be recruited according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. Details of salary scales and allowances are 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, either Bonn, Germany, or Reading, UK. 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 vacancy closing date.

Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

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 as well as nationals of European Union member states. 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.

ECMWF Member States 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.