Research scientist in the Climate Department

About the position

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway) is seeking an engaged and curious researcher to advance our climate services through the application of innovative techniques. The successful candidate will use machine learning and other AI methods to improve METs climate services and research for climate understanding, with a particular focus on downscaling climate monitoring products and future projections to the local level. The candidate will join a large group of researchers in the newly established Climate Department, a part of the Climate and Environment Division at METs main offices in Oslo. 

The Climate and Environment Division
MET monitors Norway’s climate, communicates information about climate change, and models future climate. We provide authorities, businesses, and the public with robust climate knowledge, climate change understanding and a solid knowledge base to adapt to a changing climate.

To strengthen our research and development of socially beneficial services in the fields of climate and air quality, we have established a new Climate and Environment Division. The division, comprising 70 highly skilled and dedicated employees, is organized into two departments: the Climate Department and the Air Quality Department. The division has an international working environment, and a significant portion of the tasks is funded through national and European research programs. 
 

The position's responsibilities

Artificial intelligence is making its way into all parts of society, including meteorology and climate research. MET Norway has already gained considerable experience in applying AI methods for forecasting. Current applications include downscaling atmospheric fields from coarse numerical model output to high-resolution grids using diffusion models within the Anemoi framework, as well as contributing to the development of atmospheric foundation models in collaboration with European institutions.

The researcher shall explore the potential of machine learning methods to

• provide better climatologies of relevant meteorological parameters at local level, combining a range of observation- and model-based products
• downscale future climate projections, for instance from the Norwegian Earth System Model, and develop robust machine learning setups applicable to different geographical regions, input datasets or future scenarios
• supplement and extend the existing climate model ensembles. 

The candidate will work together with experts in machine learning, dynamical downscaling, statistical downscaling, global climate modelling and climate analysis.

Other relevant tasks for the position will include streamlining production pipelines for climate services and facilitating access to our data and services using artificial intelligence.
The position involves participation in, and eventually leading, research and development projects of varying durations. This includes contributing to research proposals, such as those submitted to the Research Council of Norway and the EU.

 

Qualifications

• A PhD or MSc degree in geophysics, physics, computer science, applied mathematics, or other relevant fields is required.
• Experience in programming with R, Python, or similar languages is required.
• Experience with machine learning or similar methods is highly advantageous.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written. 
• Familiarity with meteorological and climatological datasets, such as observations, reanalyses, and climate projections, is an advantage.
• Experience in project management is beneficial.
• Solid knowledge of climatology, climate development, and climate data is beneficial.
• The work language at MET Norway is Norwegian, and fluency in Norwegian is an advantage. Foreign candidates must be willing to learn basic Norwegian.

We can offer

• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse (SPK) with good schemes for pensions, insurances and mortgages (read more here: https://www.spk.no/Medlemskap-i-SPK/)
• Flexible working hours with summer time
• A welcoming work environment.
• Professional challenges in a modern, technological setting.
• Possibility of one hour of training during working hours per week
• The position is paid in accordance with the main tariff agreements in the state as 1108 or 1109, according to qualifications. Salary range NOK 530.000 - NOK 830.000, depending on qualifications and experience. Higher wages may be considered for particularly qualified persons. A 2% statutory contribution to the Statens Pensjonskasse is deducted from the salary.

Diversity and positive discrimination

We believe that diversity is a strength, and want employees with different skills, subject combinations, work experience, gender, life experience and perspectives.We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for a job with us regardless of ethnic background, age or ability.

We practice positive discrimination, and will call at least one qualified applicant in each of these groups for an interview: applicants with a disability, immigrant background or gaps in the CV.To be considered in one or more of these categories, you must mark the appropriate category in your application.

Functional impairment: applicants who need accommodation in the workplace or in the working relationship.

Immigrant background: applicants who have themselves immigrated to Norway. Or who was born in Norway with two parents who both immigrated to Norway.

Gaps in CV: applicants who have had a break from work, education or training for a total of at least two years in the last five years due to e.g. physical or mental illness or injury, intoxication or punishment.

The ticks can be used for anonymised statistics or reporting purposes.

Publication of applicant lists for public sector positions is an important principle to ensure transparency. If you want your name to be excluded from the applicant list, you must ask for it yourself, and give us a reason. In order to be exempted from the public applicant list, your justification for exemption must outweigh the consideration of transparency in the applicant list. If your request is not accepted, you will have the opportunity to withdraw your application.

The application

The application with CV and other attachments is sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. Attach certificates and all pages of diplomas. The documents must be in Norwegian, a Scandinavian language or English. Translations must be authorized. Before any employment, we will check the documents. In the case of foreign education, we ask that you attach an explanation of the grading system.