Remote Sensing Scientist – Optical Imagery (METimage) (Based in Germany)

Company description:

Remote Sensing Scientist - Optical Imagery (METimage)

EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, operating satellites that monitor the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

EUMETSAT is an international organisation employing staff from across all 30 member states and this role is being advertised on multiple international job boards, but please note that this role would be based in Darmstadt, Germany and would require international applicants to relocate if successful.

We are currently looking for an experienced Remote Sensing Scientist to join our international team of inspiring engineers and industry professionals, tasked with driving innovation within the Space, Satellite and Earth Observation sector.
This role is routed in the mission of EUMETSAT and will provide the opportunity to work with leading IT, Space and Earth Observation organisations and domain experts to make a positive impact on society!

The Remote Sensing and Products (RSP) Division provides the scientific expertise required to develop, implement, validate, maintain, and evolve operational observational products for all EUMETSAT satellites and agreed third party missions, as well as establishing the user requirements for future EUMETSAT satellite programmes.

Within the Optical Imagery Competence Area (OI CA) of the RSP division, the Remote Sensing Scientist - Optical Imagery (METimage) is responsible for the scientific support of Level-1 and Level-2 products for imagery missions, with a particular focus on the EUMETSAT Polar System-Second Generation METimage mission.

Compared to its predecessor, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), flying on EUMETSAT’s Metop-B and Metop-C, METimage will have more channels allowing for the retrieval of far more geophysical variables. This combined with on-board radiometric calibration of solar channels and the enhanced spatial sampling will provide a breakthrough in several application areas including numerical weather forecast, very short-range forecast and nowcasting, oceanography, hydrology, land-surface applications, and climate monitoring.

Job description:

What you’ll be doing:

* Deliver direct scientific support to the EPS-SG Programme for the METimage mission, in close cooperation with scientists, external agencies and industrial partners;
* Contribute to the maintenance and the evolution of the Level-1 products from the METimage mission;
* Support the Level-1 ground processor development and cross-verification activities, including prototype development and the generation of test data;
* Lead the METimage Level-1 Cal/Val activities, including the verification and validation of the operational processors and the development and maintenance of required product quality monitoring tools;
* Follow the instrument performance against the user requirements and coordinate activities to assess the impact of non-compliances/anomalies on downstream products during pre-launch, commissioning and routine operations;
* Develop Level-2 meteorological products and collaborate with other EUMETSAT scientists for synergistic benefits;
* Conduct internal studies and/or manage external studies on the definition of meteorological products and candidate algorithms from satellite observations with imaging instruments.
* EUMETSAT's future programmes).

Required profile:

Requirements

Qualifications
An advanced university degree (or equivalent) in physics, remote sensing, meteorology or another relevant discipline is required.
Skills and Experience:
* In-depth knowledge in atmospheric/meteorological optical remote sensing, radiative transfer, and remote sensing physics of the atmosphere;
* Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of optical imaging sensors, performances and challenges, including extensive experience in data processing thereof;
* Extensive experience with the use of meteorological optical imagery satellite data and products in meteorological applications coupled with in-depth knowledge of data processing of similar relevant optical imaging instruments;
* Track record of pursuing scientific development projects, including the related research and development, as well as project management skills;
* Demonstrable experience in developing scientific applications software in Python, experience with operational data processing software (Java, FORTRAN, C++) would be an advantage;
* Strengths in analysis, synthesis and presentation, coupled with good interpersonal skills and a proven ability to apply these to interactions within a team and between teams;
* Strong interpersonal skills and team-orientation;
* Experience in working with atmospheric and meteorological user communities and researchers.

What we offer:

What we offer

* Excellent salary, of up to Euro 7,500 / month NET (after tax) based on skills and experience
* Flexible working time including additional flexi-leave
* Private medical coverage for employee and family
* Attractive final salary pension
* 30 days of annual leave + 14.5 days public holidays
* Training and development support
* Relocation allowance and support (if applicable)