Computing and Software Support Specialist - Cloud

Your role 

ECMWF is opening an exciting new position for a  Computing and Software Support Specialist (A2) in the User Services Section in the Forecast Department of ECMWF. In this role you will support users to make the most of ECMWF’s cloud-based facilities. 

The Computing and Software Support Team provides technical advice and support to all users of ECMWF software and computing including Member and Co-operating States, ECMWF and public users. As part of a team of eight staff you will provide day-to-day 2nd line support to users and work on continuous improvements of our services, processes and documentation.  With a growing user community and constant evolution in technologies we are looking for a dedicated individual with a genuine interest in helping others make the most of ECMWF’s software and platforms. Cloud services (e.g. www.europeanweather.cloud) and open data have brought an increased number of data users and diverse applications and there is increased interest in exploiting alternative platforms (e.g. EuroHPC and public cloud) to achieve ECMWF objectives. These developments come with a need for outstanding support processes.  

We are looking for a highly organised individual with a keen interest in latest technological developments and a capacity to manage competing priorities and a variety of tasks. In this role you will have a direct impact on our user community by solving technical issues and shaping our client services and technologies. Hence excellent communication and collaboration skills are equally important in this role. 

About ECMWF 

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world-leader in weather and environmental forecasting. As an international organisation we serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions and data that is critical for understanding and solving the climate crisis. We function as a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions, holding one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world. The success of our activities builds on the talent of our scientists and experts, strong partnerships with 35 Member and Co-operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies and machine learning across our operations. ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with a main office in Reading, UK, a data centre/supercomputer in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany.
    
ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the EU Copernicus Programme. We also contribute to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.

See   for more info about what we do. 

About User Services Section

The team is part of the larger User Services Section with 18 staff providing support and advice to all users of ECMWF computing, data and software services including Member States, Co-operating States, Commercial entities, ECMWF and public users. The section comprises a Computing and Software Support team and Data Support team and is based in Bonn, Germany, and Reading, UK. 

About Common Cloud Infrastructure at ECMWF

ECMWF’s newly available Common Cloud Infrastructure (CCI) is used to host the European Weather Cloud and Copernicus Climate and Atmosphere Data Store (https://cds.climate.copernicus.eu, https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/data), and will host further services to support collaboration, data exploitation and computing services in the future. This position will have a particular focus on provision of support for users of this infrastructure.  

Your responsibilities 

• Provide technical advice and support on the efficient use of ECMWF cloud services, High Performance Computing Facility, archiving services and software 
• Provide specialised expertise in use of cloud computing, e.g.:  
  • Participating in the design, development and maintenance of a consistent environment and toolset for users of cloud services 
  • Liaise and coordinate any developments and service provision with other cloud services stakeholders at ECMWF, as well as with vendors and external partners  
  • Work together with staff in ECMWF Computing Department on management and upgrades of the infrastructure  
  • Support new activities hosted in the Common Cloud Infrastructure  
• Provide technical input to the development of future cloud-based capabilities for hosting data and services Provide training to users on computing, cloud services and software 
• Review, improve and develop processes and workflows to effectively support users 
• Contribute to the creation of documentation to support a self-serve service for users 
• Work in close collaboration with other teams in the section and in other departments, frequently representing the viewpoint of users 

What we're looking for

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Client-focused and proactive approach to tackling challenges
• Flexibility with the ability to adapt to changing requirements or priorities, user needs and services
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a supportive and user-focused approach.
• Enthusiasm to help others 

Education and Experience

• Extensive experience in handling user queries and incidents with professionalism leading to successful resolution is required. 
• Experience in providing support for cloud computing services is required.  
• Experience working with Cloud and Object Store technologies is required.  
• Experience in HPC technologies is desirable. 
• Experience in providing technical training to users is desirable. 

Skills and knowledge

• Knowledge of software management, basic Linux system administration, and scripting in Linux environments is essential.  
• Knowledge of Python or similar language is required.  
• Knowledge of administration of cloud platforms, particularly based on Openstack is desirable.  
• Knowledge on using, managing containers and Kubernetes or other container orchestration tools is desirable. 
• Knowledge of multi-cloud management tools and public cloud solutions is desirable.  
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English
• Knowledge of one of ECMWF’s other working languages (French or German) would be an advantage.

Other information 

Grade remuneration:  The successful candidate will be recruited at the A2 grade of the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-PL  as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website .

Starting date:  As soon as possible

Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station. As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking, including away from the duty station (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

Interviews by videoconference (MS Team) are expected to take place shortly after the closing date. 

Who can apply 

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button below. 

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion. 

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. 

In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy.  

Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.