The general task of the Meteosat Algorithm Development Consultant will be the provision of support and advice to the algorithm development group for geostationary satellites within EUMETSAT’s Meteorological Division (MET). Although MET is not directly responsible for the operational MPEF, the advanced product development and ongoing improvement of already existing products is primarily done within MET, which includes:

• Feasibility studies for new products including the demonstration of applications
• Prototyping of new algorithms
• Documentation of algorithms
• Testing algorithms through dedicated cases
• Supporting product validation
• Supporting operations in the implementation and improvement of product algorithms

An overview over the already existing meteorological products for Meteosat can be found in http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Access_to_Data/Meteosat_Meteorological_Products/index.htm?l=en . MSG with its enhanced spectral characteristics has led to the instigation of a number of concepts concerning advanced product retrieval techniques (e.g. optimal estimation, filtering in both space and time), which are currently only little reflected in the operational MPEF but which are studied within the Meteorological Division, as many of the new concepts may be highly applicable to MTG.

It is expected that the tasks of the MPEF Algorithm Development Consultant will include:

• Support to the development and validation activities of existing MPEF algorithms and products;
• Support to the prototyping activities of new MPEF algorithms and products, especially to assess scientific concepts for potential future products and advanced product retrieval techniques from MSG;
• Support to the specification activities with respect to the MTG satellite program through prototyping and testing;
• Support to MTG related activities concerning the different spatial and temporal sampling of individual channels and the impact on product processing strategies;
• Preparation of technical notes and reports;
• Attendance at technical meetings;
• Liaising with EUMETSAT’s science team in MET and the MPEF team;
• Participation in MET and MPEF team discussions;
•  Support the promotion of products and development work through publications on the EUMETSAT web site, in appropriate scientific journals, and through conference presentations.

The MPEF Algorithm Development Consultant is required to have the experience and capability to fulfill the assigned tasks with a minimum of supervision. The Consultant shall have, as a pre-requisite, a university degree or comparable qualifications in Meteorology, Atmospheric Physics or related subjects, and a demonstrated experience of at least 5 years in the area of satellite meteorology or satellite data processing.

Furthermore, at least 3 years experience in software development (Fortran-90, C, UNIX) is required.

Experience with graphics packages like IDL and McIdas would be a distinct advantage. The Consultant shall possess good inter-personal skills.

As the imaging mission on MTG will be the primary mission, relevant experience in the analysis of meteorological imaging instruments would be a clear advantage.