Recently, the first satellite in the new Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) series was launched. This European geostationary satellite carries two instruments, the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and the Lightning Imager (LI), which enable to monitor the weather more accurately and to issue more timely warnings for severe weather. You will work on the development and implementation of new applications of these innovative satellite instruments: an exciting job at the interface of scientific research and the weather room.

Job description

The MTG satellite instruments imply a significant step forward in the monitoring capability of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. FCI has a higher spatio-temporal resolution as well as more spectral channels than its predecessor. LI is the first European instrument to measure lightning from space. Examples of phenomena for which MTG has a strong potential for improvements of their monitoring and short-term forecasting are: convective clouds and precipitation, lightning, fog, aerosols including desert dust and volcanic ash, and forest fires.

Your job focuses on identifying promising novel satellite products, where practical usability is a key aspect. The first step is typically an inventory of already existing products, including an assessment of their quality. Depending on the outcome, you can introduce these products at KNMI, further improving and tailoring them where necessary. Alternatively, retrieval algorithm development may be required for specific applications.

In collaboration with our development teams the algorithms will be implemented in the KNMI processing environment. You will strongly interact with meteorologists in the weather room, collecting their feedback to maximize the utility of the new data for the operational weather service. The eventual goal is to include the satellite products in the EWC.

The choice of applications is flexible and will partly depend on your personal interests and background. Thus, this vacancy offers ample room for your own initiative.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and pro-active researcher, who likes to bring new ideas into practice and satisfies the following characteristics:

• Master or Ph.D. in atmospheric physics or a related field
• Preferably experience with meteorological satellite data
• Strong proficiency in programming, e.g. in Python
• Excellent communication skills
• Fluent in English (written and oral)

You have an analytical and independent mind, but also enjoy working in a team. Good communication skills, both verbally and written, in the English language is required, because of the international aspect of the work.

Fixed-term contract: met uitzicht op onbepaalde tijd.

• Salarisniveau: schaal 10, schaal 11
• Maandsalaris: Min €3.045 – Max. €5.503 (bruto)
• Dienstverband: Arbeidsovereenkomst voor bepaalde tijd met uitzicht op onbepaalde tijd
• Start date: 1 August 2023 when feasible with a duration of three (3) years;
• Maximaal aantal uren per week 36

Other conditions of employement

In addition to the salary and holiday pay an end-of-year payment can be expected, the so-called 13th month. The national government strongly adheres to personal growth and carreer development and offers several possibilities to facilitate this. The terms of employment include amongst others a maximum 55% paid parental leave  (conditions apply), facilities to study, additional arrangements for leave for elderly and a refund for commuter traffic. The national government offers possibilities for a number of individual choices in shaping the total package of terms of employement.