Open position: Senior Climate Applications Scientist – Oceanography – Deadline 08 May 2023

Description

Senior Climate Applications Scientist with a specialisation in oceanography, leading the oceanographic portfolio of projects in the ESA Climate Office in the ESA Earth Observation Science, Applications and Climate Department, located in ECSAT, Harwell, UK.

The ESA Climate Office is the focal point for the Agency’s climate-related activities and is based at the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT), Harwell in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.

The ESA Climate Office aims to increase the availability and use of global, satellite-based Earth observation data for decision-making. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)  is driving international efforts to combat climate change by limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as set out in the Paris Agreement. In response to UNFCCC requirements for systematic monitoring of the climate system, ESA launched the Climate Change Initiative (CCI) research programme in 2008. Through CCI, ESA is developing a suite of global data records of key components of the climate system, known as Essential Climate Variables (ECVs).

The climate-quality datasets produced by CCI are a major contribution to the evidence base used to understand climate change, which drives international action. Climate modellers use the ECVs to study drivers, interactions and feedbacks due to climate change, as well as reservoirs, teleconnections, tipping points, and fluxes of energy, water, carbon, and predict future change. A total of 55 ECVs have been identified by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). Information derived from satellite data can contribute to more than half of the ECVs, and the CCI research programme addresses 27 of them.

ESA member states confirmed their financial support to CCI in the recent ESA Ministerial Council, thus expanding the activities that will be addressed over coming years to include R&D to support the specific requirements of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement, further enhancing the link between climate observation, climate science, and modelling communities, and the use of Earth Observation data for Tipping Points Research.

For further information see www.climate.esa.int

Duties

The appointee will work to expand the awareness, use and scientific impact of satellite Earth Observation (EO) data records for applications in climate science and services, with a main focus on oceanography, but also for other domains of the Earth system.

In carrying out these tasks, the incumbent shall provide support to and advise on the detailed scientific goals of the various international scientific and operational user communities concerned with international climate research, modelling, adaptation and mitigation activities.

The post holder reports to the Head of the ESA Climate Office.

The main tasks are:

• Leading on the oceanography portfolio within the Climate Office, covering a wide range of activities addressing stakeholder requirements, currently comprising sea state, sea level, sea surface temperature, ocean colour, sea surface salinity, sea level budget closure and ocean carbon. This portfolio will be further expanded over coming years, to include cross-ECV activities, Tipping Points and links to climate modelling.
• In doing so, establishing a dialogue with specialised climate user communities, analysing their needs for satellite-based observations of the climate system, and assessing their feedback on available EO-based information;
• Deriving technical specifications for EO-based information related to the physical and biogeochemical ocean, including its interaction with the atmosphere, with specific regard to the requirements of climate users, e.g. long term stability, accuracy, consistency, availability, error-characterisation, and compatibility with climate observations from other (space and non-space) sources;
• Initiating and supervising R&D projects to enhance ESA’s capability to generate EO-based information that responds to user needs for understanding and monitoring climate, including reanalysis, model development and evaluation, attribution, projection, trend assessment, and data assimilation;
• Evaluating the results of such developments with the corresponding climate user community;
• Promoting the use of EO data in climate applications and for supporting climate policies such as the UNFCCC and its Global Stocktake process;
• Cooperating with other ESA departments and external partner organisations to transfer capabilities developed under a research and demonstration context into operational and policy driven frameworks;
• Maintaining links and ensuring coherence with relevant activities of ESA’s Member States and international partner organisations;
• Supporting the preparation of future ESA programmes;
• Contributing to the Agency’s public communications on EO;
• Supporting the work of ESA’s Young Graduate Trainees and Research Fellows.

Technical competencies

• Significant research expertise in the field of oceanography and demonstrable skills in science management
• Established experience in satellite-based remote sensing covering a wide range of scientific areas and applications over oceans and inland water bodies
• Broad knowledge of climate research and applications, in particular related to the ocean, including the ocean carbon cycle
• Broad knowledge of major international activities, policies and initiatives relevant to the use of Earth Observation for climate science and services (e.g. IPCC, GCOS, WCRP, CEOS, GEO, UN Environmental Conventions, EU climate activities)
• Knowledge of the international scientific community in the field of oceanography and associated (large) international scientific research collaborations, preferably using space-based techniques

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

A PhD is required, preferably related to Earth system science in general and oceanography in particular.

Additional requirements

Applicants should have at least three years of working experience post-PhD in related remote sensing applications development, research, or another relevant position.

Particular importance will be attached to a candidate’s personal scientific ability and credibility amongst their peers, as well as flexibility and adaptability. The candidate should be capable of working effectively in a team with minimum supervision and have excellent communication and presentation skills. Technical and computational knowledge (including machine learning) geared towards climate would be an asset.

Interaction with the various stakeholders relevant to this position will involve a certain amount of travelling. The candidate should be prepared to travel on a frequent basis.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.