Netherlands nationals: Scientist climate change drought

• Stand­plaats: De Bilt
• Contractduur: Vast contract voorafgegaan door een jaarcontract. Bij voldoende functioneren: na een jaar omzetting in onbepaalde tijd.
• Uren per week: 36
• Maand­salaris: €3.608 – €5.503
• Salaris­niveau: schaal 11
• Niveau: Master/doctoraal

• Vakgebied: Onderzoek / wetenschap
• Reageren voor: 2 mei 
• Vacaturenummer: KNMI 2023-33.B
• Plaatsingsdatum: 13 april 2023
• Dienst­verband: Arbeidsovereenkomst voor bepaalde tijd met uitzicht op onbepaalde tijd

Functie­omschrijving

Our climate scientists increase awareness of climate risks. They look beyond today’s weather, show how the climate will develop in the coming decades, and map the consequences. Do you want to contribute to the development of knowledge about climate change and its consequences for the Netherlands and beyond? Then KNMI is looking for you as a scientist climate change and drought. For this role, you will be based in De Bilt, the Netherlands.

What will you be doing?
As a researcher in the field of climate change and drought, you will work to expand scientific knowledge about climate change in the Netherlands. Specifically, we want to better understand how climate change affects the likelihood of (meteorological) droughts, whether there is a shift to earlier or longer droughts, and what processes contribute to this. Besides the meteorological side of drought, we will look at the coupled land-atmosphere system, for example by looking at

what effects changes in soil moisture have.
With this work, you will contribute to one of KNMI’s core tasks: developing climate scenarios for the Netherlands, which are used by many (societal) partners when conducting climate stress tests and making (climate adaptation) policy. Due to the a series of (extreme) droughts in spring and summer in recent years there is increasing societal interest in drought. Because the impacts on nature, agriculture, drinking water supply, inland navigation, and water quality, among others, are large, there are many interested stakeholders with whom you will collaborate and who you will inform.

In your day to day work you will conduct research, analyses, and impact studies in the field of climate and drought, in collaboration with specialists inside and outside KNMI. You will consult with stakeholders and communicate your results through, for example, publications in the scientific literature and at meetings for professionals in the water sector.

Functie-eisen

Knowledge and experience

• you have a PhD in meteorology, hydrology, climate science or a related field;
• you have knowledge of the climate system and climate models; knowledge of hydrology and hydrological models is an advantage;
• you have experience with programming and analyzing large amounts of data. You have experience with Unix/Linux systems and Python;
• You are fluent in English and Dutch, or willing to learn Dutch.

Besides the requirements, you recognize yourself in the following characteristics:
You are a team player and you have a pro-active attitude. You can formulate clearly, with an eye for the societal application of your research and results. You work in a structured way, are result-oriented and make timely adjustments to guarantee the progress of your projects. You have an eye for your personal and professional development and find it natural to share knowledge with colleagues.

Arbeids­voorwaarden

• Salaris­niveau: schaal 11
• Maand­salaris: Min €3.608 – Max. €5.503 (bruto)
• Dienst­verband: Arbeidsovereenkomst voor bepaalde tijd met uitzicht op onbepaalde tijd
• Contract­duur: Vast contract voorafgegaan door een jaarcontract. Bij voldoende functioneren: na een jaar omzetting in onbepaalde tijd.
• Maximaal aantal uren per week: 36

Overige arbeids­voorwaarden

Other conditions of employement

In addition to the salary and holiday pay an end-of-year payment can be expected, the so-called 13th month. The national government strongly adheres to personal growth and carreer development and offers several possibilities to facilitate this. The terms of employment include amongst others a maximum 55% paid parental leave  (conditions apply), facilities to study, additional arrangements for leave for elderly and a refund for commuter traffic. The national government offers possibilities for a number of individual choices in shaping the total package of terms of employement.

Bijzonderheden

• Apply directly, we look forward to it;
• Interviews will take place continually until the position is filled;
• Start date: 1 May 2023 with a duration of 18 months;
• 36h/week, salary scale 10 or 11, depending on your experience;
• Obtaining references is 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;
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Meer over jouw toekomstige afdeling

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 organization (NWO), the European Copernicus program and other European research programs; and on servicing the operational weather forecast center, climate scenarios and strategic research.

Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI)

The weather is temperamental, the ground 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 Dutch 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.

Organisationally, KNMI falls under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) is committed to a safe, accessible and liveable Netherlands. That is why the Ministry is working on powerful connections by road, rail, water and air. And IenW protects against flooding, ensures the quality of air, water and soil and the realization of a circular economy.