Within the Remote Sensing and Products Division (RSP), in the Passive Microwave and Radio Occultation (PMRO) Competence Area, the Remote Sensing Scientist will support the development, scientific validation and evolution of Level 2 solid and liquid phase precipitation products derived from data from the current and future EUMETSAT satellite systems, and third-party missions operated or supported by EUMETSAT.

The RSP Division at EUMETSAT is tasked with providing the scientific expertise required to develop, implement, validate, maintain and evolve the operational observational products for all EUMETSAT satellites and agreed third party missions, as well as establishing the user requirements for future EUMETSAT satellite programmes. Joining EUMETSAT as Remote Sensing Scientists in RSP offers a unique opportunity to develop a professional career in a highly motivating environment.

Duties

The main duties will be as follows:

• Acquire and maintain an in-depth understanding of the observational capabilities of passive microwave missions to support EUMETSAT and Copernicus users with a focus on cloud and precipitation products, also considering combined products using Visible/Infrared data from geostationary satellites.
• Support the development or improvement of algorithms for the extraction of environmental and climate products in the areas of passive microwave radiometry, considering requirements from user communities.
• Support the definition, development, prototyping, operational implementation, and evolution of algorithms and processing software for the extraction of products from passive microwave instruments data from EUMETSAT, Copernicus and third-party missions.

• Support the quality monitoring, calibration and validation of operational products derived from passive microwave data, based on interactions with the user communities.
• Initiate, follow and manage in-house and external scientific studies relevant to the future development of operational products.
• Engage with the global precipitation community and play an active role in relevant operational and scientific interactions, to support the development and maintenance of a relevant set of requirements, community standards and best practices for hydrological applications.

Skills and Experience

• Advanced knowledge of remote sensing physics relevant to measurements from passive microwave and Visible/Infrared instruments, including demonstrated experiences with inversion methods.
• Advanced understanding of precipitation processes, cloud microphysics and hydrological cycle.
• Experience with advanced (e.g. 3D) radiative transfer modelling, hydrometeor orientation and their polarization effects, and cloud microphysical properties parameterization would be an advantage.
• Proven experience with Earth Observation data processing algorithms, preferably for the processing and Cal/Val of Level-2 products from space-borne passive microwave instruments. Familiarity with EUMETSAT passive microwave missions is an asset.
• Proven experience in developing scientific applications software, application of numerical methods and algorithmic development using programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, and Fortran or C/C++.
• Strengths in analysis, synthesis and presentation.
• Demonstrated experience with scientific development projects and working with user communities and researchers.
• Demonstrable learning orientation and the willingness to expand own knowledge/skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, combined with a proven ability to work within a team and between teams.