The Center for Climate Systems Modeling (C2SM) at ETH Zurich is a joint, interdisciplinary center linking ETH Zurich with partner institutions. It provides a technology and networking platform to support the development and application of Earth system, weather, and climate modeling, data infrastructure, and impact research. The position will involve close collaboration with the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS).
Project backgroundThere is an ever-increasing amount and diversity of Earth observations collected from satellites, airborne instruments, and in-situ measurement networks. Harnessing these data effectively is essential for advancing our understanding of the Earth system.
To address this challenge, a robust data management framework is being developed to make rapidly growing Earth-system datasets accessible and usable for the scientific community. The Earth Systems Data Manager will play a key role in shaping this framework. The position focuses on identifying and evaluating satellite and observational datasets relevant to research across disciplines, curating and documenting data collections to ensure quality and scientific value, and establishing metadata and access standards to support data discovery and reproducibility. Working closely with researchers and developers from C2SM, ETH, and CSCS, the successful candidate will help operate and advance the research platform, support interdisciplinary projects that integrate multiple data sources, and use high-performance computing resources to manage, process, and analyse large environmental datasets.
Job description - Identify and evaluate Earth system observations relevant to interdisciplinary research needs
- Curate data collections by assessing quality, completeness, and scientific value
- Create comprehensive metadata and documentation to support data discovery and use
- Begin developing a web-based platform to provide users an overview of the available data
- Coordinate with researchers in climate science, environmental monitoring, data science, and related fields
- Collaborate with a dynamic and international team of researchers and developers to operate and further advance the research platform
- Support interdisciplinary research projects that require multiple data sources
- Work with high-performance computing platforms for data storage and analysis
Profile - Degree in Earth sciences, data science, computer science or a related field
- Knowledge of satellite data formats and remote sensing
- Experience with large datasets (petabyte-scale), data management and data quality control
- Very good skills with programming languages such as Python/R/Julia, use of scientific data libraries (e.g., xarray, netCDF4, HDF5, Zarr), and workflow automation on HPC systems
- Strong communication skills for working across different scientific disciplines
Beneficial:
- Experience working in an interdisciplinary environment
- PhD in remote sensing or a related field
- Experience in leading projects, ideally within multiple different domains
- Experience with user support, data documentation, FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)
We offerIn this role, you will work at the cutting-edge intersection of Earth system modelling, high-performance computing and data-driven science. You will join the Center for Climate Systems Modeling (C2SM), a vibrant and interdisciplinary community that connects weather and climate researchers, computational scientists, and data experts across ETH Zürich and its partner institutions. We offer an intellectually stimulating environment where you will work closely with leading groups in Earth system science and with the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS). This position provides the opportunity to shape a modern data infrastructure for the Swiss climate and weather research community, contribute to impactful scientific projects, and support researchers working with rapidly growing environmental datasets. You will benefit from excellent technical resources, access to state-of-the-art HPC systems, strong mentorship, and opportunities for professional development in a collaborative, forward-looking research ecosystem.
The position is initially limited to two years, with the possibility of extension.
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