Python Job: Research Scientist

Remote Sensing Scientist– Altimetry

EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency - monitoring the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

We are currently looking for an experienced Remote Sensing Scientist to join our international team of young and inspiring engineers and industry professionals, tasked with driving innovation within the Space, Satellite and Earth Observation sector.

This role is routed in the mission of EUMETSAT and will provide the opportunity to work with leading IT, Space and Earth Observation organisations and domain experts to make a positive impact on society!

EUMETSAT’s activities in the ocean surface topography chain has substantially expanded with the development of the Copernicus Programme.

The Sentinel-3 marine mission is now fully operational. It is operated by EUMETSAT, which has the responsibility to deliver the marine products and services from the Surface Topography Mission instruments. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich mission is operated by EUMETSAT and is the new Reference Altimetry Mission for the worldwide altimetry constellation since April 2022. Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 satellites (including recurrent units) will thus provide essential topography products and services for operational oceanography through at least 2030.

Looking further ahead, EUMETSAT is starting the preparation of the future Copernicus altimetry missions to launch in the 2030s: these are the next generation of Copernicus satellites (Sentinel-3 Topography NG and Sentinel-6 NG) and the CRISTAL mission, that will provide additional SAR altimeter measurements over the global ocean.

As a member of the Altimetry Team in the Marine Applications Competence Area of the Remote Sensing and Products (RSP) Division, the Remote Sensing Scientist – Altimetry will contribute to the scientific development, maintenance, evolution and validation of remote sensing products derived from Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 altimetry missions.

What you’ll be doing

· Acquire and maintain an in depth understanding of the observational capabilities of the Copernicus altimeter suite of instruments;

· Plan, develop and perform product calibration and validation activities, including development of required tools and methods;

· Provide product quality analysis and long-term monitoring of operational Copernicus altimeter products;

· Support Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 mission operations with respect to processing anomalies, change requests, new processing baselines and baseline regression testing;

· Actively support operational and scientific interactions with the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service, user communities and international partners (i.e. ESA, CNES, NOAA, NASA);

· Contribute to the detailed formulation of requirements for new and improved Copernicus altimetry products and data services, responding to the evolving needs of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service and users;

· Support the prototyping and operational implementation of advanced algorithms for improved and new altimeter products from Copernicus and other relevant altimeter missions;

· Support reprocessing and re-calibration activities as required, e.g. to fulfil the requirements of the Copernicus climate change service.

What we offer

· Excellent salary, of up to Euro 7,500 / month NET (after tax) based on skills and experience;

· Flexible working time including additional flexi-leave;

· Private medical coverage for employee and family;

· Attractive final salary pension;

· 30 days of annual leave + 14.5 days public holidays;

· Training and development support;

· Relocation allowance and support (if applicable).

Requirements

Qualifications

· Advanced University degree or equivalent, in oceanography, remote sensing, physics, meteorology or another relevant discipline.

Skills and Experience:

· In-depth scientific knowledge of altimetry observations of the ocean including sea-ice and coastal areas, measurement physics and retrieval algorithms, preferably in a complex operational environment; knowledge in altimetry observations of inland waters is an asset;

· Experience in calibration and validation activities for altimeters;

· Experience in the definition and development of prototypes or operational processors, including data processing framework;

· Experience in working with altimetry user communities and researchers. In addition, familiarity with the Copernicus Programme and Copernicus services in particular are an asset;

· Demonstrable experience of working in a UNIX environment and with scientifically-oriented coding languages, preferably Python and/or Matlab. Knowledge of C/C++ is an asset;

· Strengths in analysis, synthesis and presentation, including demonstrated experience in writing scientific and technical documents, coupled with good interpersonal skills and a proven ability to apply these to the interactions within a team and between teams.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ENGLISH. WE WILL BE UNABLE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED IN OTHER LANGUAGES.

EUMETSAT is an international organisation employing staff from across all 30 member states and this role is being advertised on multiple international job boards, but please note that this role would be based in Darmstadt, Germany and would require international applicants to relocate if successful.

More about us

EUMETSAT’s role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation's Member and Cooperating States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide.

EUMETSAT also operates several Copernicus missions on behalf of the European Union and provide data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users.

As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT can recruit nationals only from the 30 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom).

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: Up to 7,500.00€ per month

COVID-19 considerations:
EUMETSAT strictly follows the COVID guidance of the German Government. Only essential operational personnel are working on site with all others working remotely. All meetings and interviews are conducted online. All unnecessary travel is cancelled.