(English) Scientist weather and climate modelling

Join the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) as a Scientist in Weather and Climate Modelling

Are you interested in how climate change is represented in current weather prediction models? Do you enjoy writing scientific articles and contributing to the implementation of model developments in operational weather and climate systems? Then this 1.5-year research scientist position in De Bilt is the perfect opportunity for you. Help shape the future of weather and climate prediction!

The project
UrbanAIR is a Horizon Europe project developing decision-support tools that integrate neighbourhood- and street-level atmospheric models with real-time temperature and wind data. These tools help cities improve air quality, reduce heat risks, and enhance resilience. By incorporating behavioural insights, physics-based modelling, and direct city engagement, UrbanAIR addresses urban planning, hazard response, and climate adaptation challenges.

What will you be doing?
For the development of city-to-neighbourhood scale forecasts you will be responsible for adding climate signal to the weather forecasts, initially this will be done by a method called Pseudo Global Warming. You will develop the weather model scripting system to use the climate signal from climate models to the weather (extremes) forecast. The aim is to produce new boundary conditions to translate extreme cases to future global warming levels.

At KNMI our mission is to collect and analyze data on the atmosphere and subsurface, transforming it into actionable insights that help society understand and manage risks.

What we offer

• Salary scale 11: €4.024 - €6.110 (gross)
• Fixed-term employment contract
• 18 months

Plenty of growth and development opportunities
The central government attaches great importance to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. These include attending training courses and obtaining certifications. We also offer career coaching if you need it.

Interesting extras
In addition to your salary, you receive an individual choice budget (IKB) consisting of vacation pay of 8% and an annual end-of-year bonus. This IKB consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and/or time. With the IKB you make the choices that suit you and you can compose part of your terms of employment yourself. For example, you can have part of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish, convert the IKB into leave or spend it on tax-friendly objectives. Our other fringe benefits include company fitness and full reimbursement of your commuting expenses.

What we ask

You are an enthusiastic scientist with a background in meteorology or data science, who likes to work in an international, and multi-disciplinary environment while also having the perseverance to overcome challenges from technical, scientific and communicative nature. Furthermore:

• you have completed a PhD in meteorology, environmental sciences, computer science (or similar)
• you have substantial experience working with climate or weather modelling systems
• you have experience with FORTRAN, Linux, and python
• you are fluent in English (spoken and written) and preferably have a basic understanding of the Dutch language

In addition to the requirements, you recognize yourself in the following characteristics:

• you are steadfast and adhere to scientific integrity
• you can think in new ways to generate new solutions
• you regularly exchange knowledge, information and ideas with others and actively seek feedback on your own ideas.
• you have a results-oriented attitude and the skills to manage your work in a timely manner and make progress in the project
• you are able to think critically and display a pro-active attitude within the research team

About your workplace

About Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut

The department Research and Development of Weather and Climate models (RDWK) investigates and develops research tools for weather and air quality prediction applications and climate research. We work on detailed physical processes, data assimilation, long term climate projections and practical applications including storm surge forecasts and statistics of extremes. RDWK participates in international projects directed towards a variety of weather and climate related research and development areas. The department has a strong international network.
The department performs its activities in collaboration with partners like ACCORD, EC-Earth, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and universities. We work for the national road and water authority Rijkswaterstaat, the Ministry for Infrastructure and Water Management, the Dutch research funding organisation (NWO), the European Copernicus programme and other European research programmes; and on servicing the operational weather forecast centre, climate scenarios and strategic research. The department collaborates with the other KNMI departments. Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute The weather is fickle, the soil moves and the climate changes. For our safety and prosperity, we need to know what risks and opportunities this brings. And: how we can best prepare ourselves. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) is the national knowledge and data center for weather, climate and seismology. Reliable, independent and focused on what the Netherlands needs. For a safe Netherlands that is prepared for the impact of weather, climate and earthquakes. We use our core values - Development, Cooperation and Relevance - to achieve our ambition, both within and outside KNMI, nationally and internationally. We develop our knowledge and expertise and work together to create a single KNMI that makes a difference to society! Talent as the basis, diversity as the strength The KNMI is an inclusive organization. An organization that provides space for everyone and uses the strength of its diverse workforce to achieve better results together for the Netherlands. Inclusive means that everyone feels involved and valued; not in spite of their differences, but thanks to them.

Additional information

• you will be based in De Bilt
• starting date: as soon as possible, we’re eager to have you on board
• interview process: the first interviews will take place after the vacancy has closed
• obtaining references can be part of the application process. An (online) pre-selection test, an assessment, making a case and (online) screening via databases, among others, can be part of the application process