Computing and Software Support Specialist - Machine Learning

Your role

ECMWF is opening an exciting new position for Computing and Software Support Specialist (A2) in the User Services Section in the Forecast Department of ECMWF. In this role you will support users working with our machine learning models and data.

The Computing and Software Support Team provides technical advice and support to all users of ECMWF software and computing, including Member and Co-operating States, ECMWF users and public users. As part of a team of ten staff you will provide day-to-day 2nd line user support and work on continuous improvements of our services, processes and documentation. 

With a growing user community and constant evolution in technologies we are looking for a dedicated individual with a genuine interest in helping others make the most of ECMWF’s software, data and platforms. The recent rise in machine learning for numerical weather prediction has brought new ways of working with software, data and computing, which in turn comes with a need for outstanding support processes.

We are looking for a highly organised individual with a keen interest in latest technological developments and a capacity to manage competing priorities and a variety of tasks. In this role you will have a direct impact on our user community by solving technical issues and shaping our client services and technologies. Hence excellent communication and collaboration skills are equally important in this role.

About User Services Section

The User Services Section has 26 staff providing support and advice to all users of ECMWF computing, data and software services including Member States, Co-operating States, Commercial entities, ECMWF and public users. The section comprises a Computing and Software Support team, a User Solutions Team and Data Support team and is based in Bonn, Germany, and Reading, UK.

About ECMWF's Machine Learning activities

ECMWF is operating and developing world-leading, machine learning-based probabilistic weather forecasting systems, which complement our existing physics-based system. A range of novel ML approaches are being investigated for improved quality and efficiency of forecasts as part of ECMWF’s contribution to the Destination Earth initiative. A team of scientists and engineers in ECMWF are working collaboratively across the Centre and in our Member and Cooperating States to undertake this challenge, including through the Machine Learning Pilot Project (MLPP). Together with our Member States; we are co-developing Anemoi, an end-to-end framework for training and operationalising data-driven weather forecasting models. The Computing and Software Support Specialist will focus on support for users and developers working in this domain.

Your responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day computing and software support services, working with colleagues to respond to user queries and resolve technical issues
• Provide technical advice and support to users of ECMWF machine learning models and their output data, helping users access and make use of ML models, products and datasets
• Provide specialised expertise and user support in the use of DestinE and ECMWF HPC computing infrastructure and software for machine learning, with a particular focus on the Anemoi software framework
• Review, improve and develop support processes and workflows for users and developers within ECMWF Machine Learning (ML) projects such as the DestinE Initiative and Member States' ML Pilot Project
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of documentation and self-service resources for users of ECMWF machine learning services
• Collaborate closely with other teams in the section and other departments, representing the viewpoint of users of new and existing ML services, including AI forecast model upgrades

What we are looking for

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate complex technical issues and identify practical solutions
• Take ownership of issues and follows through to deliver practical outcomes
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Outstanding interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams, departments and external organisations
• A genuine interest in helping users succeed and improving their experience
• A hands-on approach, with the willingness to engage directly in technical investigations, testing and implementation activities where appropriate
• Interest in new technologies and innovative approaches, including AI-assisted support, knowledge management and digital service delivery
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a dynamic environment

Your profile

Education and experience

• An advanced university degree or equivalent professional experience, in a relevant field
• Experience in providing user support for computing, data and software services in a Linux or Unix environment is required
• Experience in handling user queries and incidents with professionalism leading to successful resolution is required
• Experience in working with, and providing support for, machine learning workflows and tools is required
• Experience in HPC and/or GPU technologies is desirable
• Experience in providing technical training to users is desirable

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of software and environment management and basic Linux system administration is essential
• Knowledge of a modern scripting language such as Python is required
• Knowledge of compiling and running scientific codes on high-performance computing facilities would be an advantage
• Experience in at least one deep learning framework such as PyTorch, Tensorflow, JAX is required
• Experience with machine learning workflows, including data preparation, training and inference is required
• Knowledge of data formats commonly used in meteorology, such as GRIB, BUFR or NetCDF is desirable

Languages

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English. A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) is an advantage.

If you feel you bring many of the skills for this role but don't meet precisely all of the criteria listed above, we still encourage you to apply.

About Destination Earth (DestinE)

ECMWF is one of the entities entrusted with implementing the European Commission's Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative, 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.

See also:   and  .

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 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

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

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.
To learn more see also: | |

Other information

Grade remuneration: The successful candidates will be recruited according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. In addition to basic salary, ECMWF also offers an attractive benefits package. Information about working with us and full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at: .

Starting date:  As soon as possible

Location: Reading, UK or Bonn, Germany (Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station)

Hybrid working: As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking. We allow for remote work 10 days/month away from the office, including up to 80 days/year away from the duty station country (within member states and co-operating states).

Interviews by videoconference (MS Teams), will be conducted in English and are expected to take place soon after the closing date.

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

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 jobs@ecmwf.int.

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 Cooperating States, listed below, as well as from all EU Member States. In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy.

ECMWF Member and Co-operating States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Germany, Georgia, Greece, 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.

Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.