Research Software Engineer, Bonn

Your role

We are seeking a Research Software Engineer to join the IFS System Design team to take responsibility for the Research-to-Operations (R2O) process as it relates to the CAMS configurations of the IFS, alongside more general support and development of the IFS software carried out by the IFS Section.
The successful candidate will work closely with teams in the Production Section (responsible for delivering the operational service) and the Atmospheric Composition Section (responsible for the development of the CAMS system) to facilitate the effective testing and transfer of the latest CAMS developments into operational service.
Additionally, the successful candidate will work with the IFS Section to provide support and development of the IFS software infrastructure, including workflow management with ecFlow, shell and Python scripting and the Fortran and C++ code used in the forecasting and data assimilation systems running on our HPC facility in Bologna, Italy.

About the Section/ Team

The Integrated Forecast Systems Section is responsible for developing, maintaining and testing the forecasting software stack, co-ordinating the handover to the teams responsible for operational deployment, and ensuring the performance portability of the IFS system. The IFS Systems Development team is responsible for the software infrastructure underpinning ECMWF’s forecasting models – including user interfaces for configuring the model systems, workflow management of the complex suites running the model systems, and the shell/Python scripts which execute individual components of the suites.

Your responsibilities

Reviewing, merging and testing contributions for new releases (cycles) of the IFS operational service before passing to Production SectionReviewing and testing mid-cycle updates before passing to Production SectionProviding technical expertise, guidance and design review to developersSupport and development of the IFS Software Infrastructure

What we're looking for

Collaborative team player who works effectively within cross-functional and multidisciplinary teamsStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, combined with a proactive and solution-oriented mindsetAdaptable and responsive to evolving priorities, business requirements, and user needsExcellent communication skills, with the ability to engage clearly and confidently with technical teams, remote colleagues, and non-technical stakeholdersHighly organised, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines effectively

Your profile - Experience, Knowledge and Skills

An advanced university degree (EQ7 level or above) or equivalent experience in a physical, computational or mathematical science, or a related subject

The following would be an advantage. However, you are encouraged to apply even if you don’t feel you meet all the criteria.

Highly Desirable

Experience of pulling research or prototype developments into time-critical production environmentsExperience developing and maintaining weather forecasting systems, or similar complex computational systemsDemonstrable software development skills on complex codebases, including experience of using processes for software testing and managementProficiency in object-oriented coding in PythonCompetence in shell scripting within Unix or Linux environments

Desirable

Experience of High Performance Computing (HPC) environmentsExperience developing and maintaining interdependent workflows or pipelines of softwareWorking productively with scientists and technical specialistsExperience working with a traditional compiled language (eg. Fortran, C++ etc)Experience in weather forecasting, atmospheric chemistry or data assimilationExperience in defining and enforcing software assurance standards and working practices

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed requirement. ECMWF supports skill development and provides a collaborative environment where team members can grow into their roles.

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.

See for more info about what we do.

About the Copernicus Programme

Copernicus is the earth observation component of the European Union (EU) space programme. Based on the exploitation of spaced based and in situ (earth-based) observations and scientific models, Copernicus provides information services for land, marine, atmospheric and climate monitoring, as well as emergency management and security. These services, and their free, open and quality assured data and tools, support a range of environmental and security applications across sectors and policy domains. For details, see The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) service provides authoritative information about the past, present and future climate, as well as tools to enable climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies by policy makers and businesses. For details, see

CAMS is the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service and is operated on behalf of the EU by ECMWF. CAMS assimilates large volumes of observational data in order to run global atmospheric composition models, providing twice daily forecasts, and reanalysis datasets. CAMS provides data on atmospheric pollutants, greenhouse gases and other atmospheric aerosols, gases and chemical species.

Other information

Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at including the Centre’s Staff Regulations regarding the terms and conditions of employment. Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

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

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 within a month of the vacancy closing date.

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

How to apply

Please apply by completing the online application form available at To contact the ECMWF Recruitment Team, please email [email protected]. For details of how we will handle your personal data for this purpose, see:

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 from all EU Member States. 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. 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.