Verification and Diagnostics Scientist


Generic role: Scientist
Profession: Science and Engineering
Permanent, Full time at Met Office, Exeter
Closing date for applications: 11 November 2012

Background information

The Numerical Modelling/Operational Weather Forecasting and IT section of Weather Science is responsible for the testing, upgrade and maintenance of the operational forecast modelling system, the Unified Model (MetUM). This includes everything from the high-resolution kilometre-scale ensembles and deterministic to the 15-day global ensemble.
The model diagnostics and novel verification methods team's purpose is to keep up with the developments in the modelling system through the development and application of appropriate methods for measuring performance, analysing systematic behaviour and diagnosing errors. This also involves exploiting new data types. Invariably the objective is to add new methods and data sources to the operational systems which are used to monitor routine performance.
The incumbent will focus on the Met Office ensemble prediction system, especially the relative performance of different configurations for the purposes of "best data" (which forms the basis of Met Office forecast products), through quantifying errors and uncertainties in a way that is meaningful for improving the model configuration.

Specific job purpose

Monitoring, detecting and diagnosing the origins of model systematic behaviour through the use of existing, and development of new methods for the improvement of the modelling system.

Specific job responsibilities

  • Develop a forecast performance monitoring capability specific to ensemble prediction systems.
  • Contributing to the writing and integration of new methods into operational verification systems.
  • Identifying strengths and weaknesses within the forecast ensemble configurations, and providing feedback of sufficient depth to assist further model improvement.
  • Assessing process-based methods (used more typically for global seasonal, decadal and climate models) to understand model behaviour, by applying them and/or adapting them for use at the short range if found suitable.

Qualifications, skills and abilities required

Essential

  • A degree in Maths, Physics and/or Meteorology (2:1 or better) with relevant post-degree experience or qualification equivalent to PhD.
  • Demonstrated analytical ability through the use of appropriate data sets and data analysis techniques.
  • Demonstrated ability to write effective scientific software (e.g. Fortran, C), and coping with large data sets.
  • Demonstrated enthusiasm in meteorology and the weather forecasting process, coupled to an understanding of the modelling system and its behaviour.
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality output on fairly short time scales.
  • Ability to effectively communicate their work both orally and in writing.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of SQL, R and/or Python.
  • Background in statistics/statistical methods.
  • Experience with and knowledge of remotely sensed data sets such as from satellite and/or radar.

Application forms and further information

Please mark your request or returned application form: Verification and diagnostics scientist 002503 R
Please complete this form (using Adobe Reader 9 or above). You can save the form part-way through and return to it later, using the Adobe Reader toolbar. Once you are happy with it submit it using the button at the end of the form. Alternatively, print the form out, complete by hand, and return by post.
If you require a Microsoft Word version of the application form, please email HREnquiries@metoffice.gov.ukincluding the words 'application request' in the subject line. An automatic email will be returned to you immediately. If you have not received an email within 48 hours then please contact us.
Alternatively, you can call or write to:
HR Customer Services
Met Office
FitzRoy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB
Tel: 01392 885000
We are unable to reply to each applicant individually. If you have had no response from us within four weeks of the closing date please assume you have been unsuccessful. If you meet the sift criteria but have applied more than three times for the same or similar job within the last two years, it will be up to the recruiting manager's discretion whether to offer you an interview.

Nationality and residency requirements

All successful applicants offered conditional employment at the Met Office are required to undertake national security vetting. Usually successful applicants can start after satisfactory initial security vetting (whilst full national security vetting is undertaken), but for a small number of posts a higher level of vetting is needed. If you do not have five years' continuous UK residency this may take longer and we may have to reconsider your application if there are delays in the security procedure.
Please note that nationality and residency restrictions of this kind are common with all UK Civil Service departments and Executive Agencies.  For further guidance see the UK Border Agency's Working in the UK website.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants

To widen the pool of candidates we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the published minimum criteria for the job.
To qualify for a guaranteed interview, you do not have to be registered as a disabled person but you must have a disability or long-term health condition that puts you at a substantial disadvantage in either obtaining or keeping employment. The disability must be likely to last for at least 12 months.
To apply for a guaranteed interview, please complete the appropriate section of the application form. When appropriate, you should provide details of any particular arrangements you will require for the interview, e.g. car parking, speech facilitator.
Any false declaration of disability to obtain an interview may invalidate any resultant contract of employment.

Priority status for staff in the Civil Service Surplus Talent Pool

If you are an existing Civil Servant and have applied through the CS Vacs website, your application will be given priority status, in that your application will be assessed for suitability before other applications are entertained. Surplus staff should provide a letter from their HR department confirming this status and attach it to their application form.

Civil Service Recruitment Principles

The Met Office's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the HREnquiries@metoffice.gov.uk mailbox or telephone 01392 885000 in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Met Office, contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.

Commitment to diversity

The Met Office values diversity and recruits on merit.

Benefits and facilities

Employees can join the Civil Service Pension Scheme called 'Nuvos', a defined benefit scheme which both you and the Met Office contribute to. You also have the option to join a partnership scheme where the employer can contribute and you can contribute if you wish. For more details please see the Civil Service Pensions website .
  • Annual Leave allowance of 25 days (plus 8 days public holiday and 2½ privilege days taken at fixed times during the year).
  • Training opportunities, performance-related pay and access to the Met Office sports and social club.
  • The potential to work in different areas within the same organisation, but note that employees are expected to complete 24 months in post before applying for alternative posts within the Met Office.

Starting salaries

The pay range is stated at the top of the job description. Entry to the Met Office is normally at the pay range minimum.

Relocation

Unless stated in the job advert and job description, financial support is not available for candidates to move to the job location.

Payment of interview expenses

Candidates invited for interview will only be paid expenses if stated in the invite to interview letter.

Mobility

Appointed staff will normally have a full mobility clause written into their employment contract. A small number of roles have a limited mobility obligation.
Verification and Diagnostics Scientist Verification and Diagnostics Scientist Reviewed by Unknown on 10:00:00 AM Rating: 5

JOBS CATEGORY

Tanzania Kenya NGO JOBS Uganda Best Jobs Consultancy Rwanda ICT JOBS Administrative United Nations Sudan Best Jobs Finance Health - Medical Engineering Ethiopia Education Agricultural Lecturer Human Resources Somalia Media Congo - Kinshasa Legal Jobs Bank Jobs Monitoring and Evaluation Mining World Vision Burundi Procurement African Barrick Gold Accountant Zambia Sales and Marketing US EMBASSY East African Community Mozambique Telecoms Research CARE International Save The Children Plan International Arusha Malawi South Sudan Oxfam Scholarships African Development Bank Finance and Administration SafariCom Aviation The Commonwealth American Embassy Sales Zanzibar Environmental Catholic Relief Services Dar es salaam USAID Operations FHI 360 UNDP Security World Bank Economist TradeMark East Africa Unicef Hospitality Managers International Rescue Committee (IRC) Restless Development Accounting Civil Engineers AMREF Morogoro Utumishi AfDB African Development Bank COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale Driver - Logistics Path International Mwanza African Union Tigo Jobs Marketing Mbeya Teaching Au African Union PSI Population Services International Pwc PricewaterhouseCoopers East African Breweries North Mara Gold Mine ACTED Djibouti Malaria Consortium Bulyanhulu Gold Mine DFID Driver Buzwagi Gold Mine Jhpiego COMESA FINCA JOBS International Jobs Adeso Danish Refugee Council Kilimanjaro Nairobi Coca-Cola Handicap International Pact International Rio Tinto Solidarités International Tender EGPAF Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Logistics Serengeti Breweries Ltd Nation Media Group Africare Norwegian Refugee Council Samaritan's Purse Chemonics International COUNTRY DIRECTOR ICAP of Columbia University InterShips Precision Air RwandAir Marie Stopes International (MSI) Serengeti Breweries Volunteer Climate Change IGAD Tetra Tech ARD Agriculture Jobs Dodoma Iringa One Acre Fund Project Management Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI Technoserve Twaweza East Africa ActionAid Lutheran World Federation SADC Secretariat Tanga Vso International ACDI/VOCA Halmashauri Agha Khan Kenya Commercial Bank World Agroforestry Centre Deloitte East Africa International Organization for Migration (IOM) COMESA Secretariat: Software Engineering Safety and Security Shinyanga Jobs Tanzania Breweries Pathfinder International World Health Organization KPMG TANROADS Tanzania Electric Supply Company British Council Futures Group KCB BANK UN-Habitat WFP World Food Programme Barclays GEITA GOLD MINING TANESCO Electrical Engineer Food and Agriculture Organization GOAL Mombasa Tabora WWF World Wide Fund for Nature Microsoft Tanzania Ports Authority East African Development Bank Family Health International (FHI) IBM EAST AFRICA IntraHealth International Mercy Corps SERIKALINI - GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA AccessBank Community Development Jobs Data Base Management Google Africa ICAP - TZ KEMRI/CDC Program WaterAid Tanzania Auditor SNV International Stanbic Bank Amnesty Horn Relief Kampala Management Systems International (MSI) Standard Chartered Bank VETA Christian Aid DIAMOND TRUST BANK Helen Keller International Help Age Mtwara Uganda Telecom Airtel Africa Equity Bank Internships Marie Stopes TCRA Web Development B B C WORLD SERVICE Human Rights Kigali Makerere University Nile Basin Initiative Kenyatta University Kigoma Mzumbe University NSSF National Social Security Fund Nile Breweries Limited Tulawaka Gold Mine University of Nairobi kenya Airways Bank of Tanzania Graduates MTN Muhimbili National Hospital Nepad Partners in Health Room to Read SUMATRA UNWOMEN African Wildlife foundation (AWF) KEMRI Kagera Librarian MENTOR Initiative Trainee USAILI - INTERVIEW Uiversity of Nairobi WaterAid International icipe Project CAFOD - Catholic Agency for Overseas Development Egerton University EngenderHealth Goal Ireland Kenyan Banks Lake Victoria Basin Commission Peace Corps TANAPA TASAF Tanzania Social Action Fund Zanzibar University ACB AKIBA COMMERCIAL BANK AGRA Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa Advans Bank Ethiopian Airlines Freedom House IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Legal Moshi NMB BANK Resolute Tanzania Singida Uganda Uganda National Roads Authority University of Dar es salaam University of Dodoma British High Commission ChildFund EWURA FilmAid International NECTA TPDC Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) United States International University World Concern Aga Khan Foundation CBA Commercial Bank of Africa Ecomist Ernst and Young IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature International Medical Corps Islamic Relief Kakira Sugar Musoma National Institute for Medical Research OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA Relief International TAA Tanzania Airports Authority Trócaire Uganda Revenue Authority VODACOM TANZANIA VSF Belgium Architects Hivos IFC International Finance Corporation Ifakara Health Institute Inoorero University International Commercial Bank Kenya Red Cross Society MADEREVA Medical Oil and Gas Pwani University College SOKOINE UNIVERSITY Tumaini University Water Engineering AWF African Wildlife Foundation Acacia Mining Accounts African Virtual University Altima Africa Ardhi University Bank of Uganda Business Development Concultancy Del Monte Kenya Embassies Kenya Airports Authority Lake Victoria South Water Services Board Mara National Bank of Commerce RECORDS MANAGEMENT JOBS RUKWA Ruvuma Search for Common Ground Songea TTCL Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited Unilever War Child International Zinduka Afrika ACORD AKU ​Aga Khan University Africa Nazarene University Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Aga Khan Health Services CRDB BANK Commercial Bank of Africa Daraja Tanzania Engineers Registration Board (ERB) Fina Bank International Potato Center International Potato Center (CIP) Intrahealth Jomo Kenyatta University Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Kyambogo University Lindi Jobs MCL Mwananchi Communications MUHAS-harvad Moi University NBC BANK National University of Rwanda Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority Njombe Nuru International Nzoia sugar Company RTI International SUA SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE THE LAW SCHOOL OF TANZANIA TRA Tanzania Revenue Authority Tanzania Postal Bank The Foundation For Civil Society Udhamini wa Masomo Western Union AIR TANZANIA Action Against Hunger (ACF) Agricultural Society of Kenya BRALIRWA Bondo University College Caritas Comoros Concern Worldwide Conservation Jobs Consolidated Bank of Kenya DHL Express Ewaso Ngiro South River Basin Development Authority Geologist Gulf African Bank INSTITUTE OF ADULT EDUCATION Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kabale University Kabale University (KAB) Kenya Ports Authority KickStart International MORUWASA Morogoro Urban Water and Sanitation Authority MSH Management Sciences for Health Mumias Sugar Company Nairobi Hospital Nkumba University Rural Electrification Agency SOKINE UNIVERSITY SONGWE STAMIGOLD Stores TACAIDS TARURA TCU Tanzania Commission for Universities Tullow Oil World Lung Foundation (WLF) ALAF Limited Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Aga Khan Hospital Air Malawi American Refuge Committee BENKI YA POSTA - TPB BANK BTC Belgian Technical Cooperation Bhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifank of Tanzania Bioversity International CHF International Customer Service Jobs DANGOTE DIT DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Danida Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology Daystar University ECOBANK ETDCO Electrical Transmission and Distribution Construction and Maintenance Company European Union IFM INSTITUTE OF FINANCE MANAGEMENT INSURANCE JOBS - BIMA ITECH Internews® Network KUITWA KAZINI Kenya Accreditation Service Kenya Polytechnic University College Kilombero Sugar Company Kisii University College Kisumu Laboratory Jobs MSD MEDICAL STORES DEPARTMENT MSF Switzerland Management Sciences for Health Manyara Maseno University Ministry of State for Planning Muteesa 1 Royal University Médecins Sans Frontières NIDA National Identification Authority Narok University College OSHA Occupational safety and Health Authority Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA) PA PAC PEPSI POLICE - POLISI Petroleum EngineerS RWANDA HOUSING AUTHORITY Seychelles Songas TBC TANZANIA BROADCASTING CORPORATION TBS TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS TFDA TANZANIA FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY TIB - Tanzania Investment Bank Tanzania Mortagage Refinance Company Tanzania Teachers’ Union Transmara Sugar Company Tropical Pesticides Research Institute Tumba College of Technology Twiga Cement UNESCO UNOCHA Umma University University WRP Walter Reed Project ZANTEL ao uga
Powered by Blogger.