The numerical weather prediction (NWP) model HARMONIE-AROME is used for operational short-range weather forecasts in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. It is developed, maintained, and validated as part of the shared ALADIN–HIRLAM system by a collaboration of 26 countries in Europe and northern Africa on short-range mesoscale NWP. The department of Research and Development Weather and Climate Models, as part of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, is now looking for a HARMONIE-AROME scientific support staff.

Your tasks

• You will perform the required HARMONIE-AROME experimentation as is laid out in the DOWA proposal, notably the production of a ten year re-analysis.
• You will study the impact of wind farms on drag parametrization in HARMONIE-AROME.
• You will perform experimentation on the coupling between HARMONIE-AROME and DALES.
• You will develop and execute validation tools and document the findings and their use.

• You preferably have a PhD in natural science.
• You are very familiar with computer code of large atmospheric numerical modelling systems, and have a broad understanding of the structure and rationale of computer code.
• You have extensive experience with Linux and Python scripts and Fortran code.
• You have a supportive attitude and willingness to cooperate in a team.

Fixed-term contract: 23 months.

• Salary scale: 11
• Salary: Min €2.996 – Max. €4.605 (gross)
• Contract­: 23 months

Other conditions of employment

In addition to the salary and holiday pay, you can expect to receive an end-of-year payment, the so-called ‘13th month’. The national government strongly adheres to personal growth and career development and offers several opportunities to facilitate this. The terms of employment include, amongst other things, a maximum of 55% paid parental leave (conditions apply), facilities to study, an additional leave plan for older employees and reimbursement of commuting costs. Moreover, the national government also offers a range of options to shape your total employment package based on individual choice.

Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute

The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment is responsible for the Dutch main road network, the main waterway network, the main water systems, and the environment in which they are embedded. The Ministry facilitates smooth and safe flow of traffic, keeps the national water system safe, clean, user friendly and protects the Netherlands against flooding. Efficient, safe and liveable: that's Infrastructure and Environment.

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) is the national institute for weather, climate research and seismology. It disseminates weather information to the public at large, the government, aviation and the shipping industry in the interest of safety, the economy and a sustainable environment. To gain insight into long-term developments, KNMI conducts research on climate change. An important role of KNMI is to help society to reduce risks by giving warnings to the general public and specific customers.

Research and Development Weather and Climate Models

The department of Research and Development Weather and Climate Models is a recently formed research unit consisting of experts on weather, climate and atmospheric composition modelling. It supports the operational weather forecasting and alert function of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, and contributes to the international network of scientific research in these areas. Expertise areas concentrate on modelling (extreme) meteorological events, physical, chemical and dynamical processes in the atmosphere, sea level rise, as well as global and regional climate changes. The research unit consists of approximately 50 staff members and is involved in many national and international research projects.