Become a Hydraulic Engineer Specialised in Hydrological Modelling and Flood Forecasting at DMI's New Unit for Floodin...

The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) is looking for a hydraulic engineer/river hydrologist who will have a key role in supporting DMI in our new assignment as the national authority for early flood warning. Do you want to be part of building the strongest research group in Denmark for real-time modelling of the rapid surface water processes, which are the physical phenomena that lead to acute flooding? And do you want to be involved in the construction, operation and ongoing development of the operational model system for warning of floods in rivers, and coastal cities? Then you have the profile we are looking for!

DMI, as of 1 January 2022, has been assigned the new role as the national authority for hydrological warning. Therefore, we are building a flood warning system, to be implemented within DMI's existing warning system for dangerous weather and elevated water levels along the coast. Flood warning is a strategic focus area for DMI and has received a great deal of attention, particularly after the massive floods in Central Europe in the summer of 2021.

About the job We are looking for a hydraulic engineer/river hydrologist for our new research and development unit, Flooding and Hydrology. You have expertise in the development and implementation of river models, particularly hydraulic models in urban, coastal and rural settings. In addition, you are comfortable working in Python, R or similar. In the short term, the unit's primary task is to develop and operationalize a new, robust flood warning system in Denmark based on the latest international methods in the field. The warning system will aim to include floods from streams, lakes, local extreme rain and storm surges. The project is being carried out in close collaboration with a number of other government institutions - GEUS, SDFI, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (Miljøstyrelsen), the Danish Coastal Authority (KDI) and the Danish Environmental Portal (DMP). In addition, there will be close contact with, amongst others, local emergency services and municipalities.

In the short term, your primary tasks will include:

• Evaluating different models and modelling approaches to represent river flooding and the interactions with urban systems and coastal waters.
• Developing and deploying hydrodynamic models for operational application in Denmark
• Set up and test different kinds of hydraulic and hydrological forecast models, including the use of data assimilation and ensemble weather forecasts as input for early flood warning
• Researching the hydrodynamic models including interactions between rainfall-runoff, river systems, urban areas and coastal water levels
• Work with various real-time observations and forecasts for variables such as water level, water flow, precipitation, etc.

In the longer term, the unit will build up a portfolio of research and development projects in the field of hydro-meteorology. Here you will be involved in the research-based development of the next generation of hydrology, hydrodynamic and flood forecasting systems, digital twins, extremely high-resolution weather models for improving the quality of our hydraulic and hydrological models, AI, etc. These projects will take place in collaboration with DMI's researchers in the fields of climate, meteorology, oceanography and remote sensing, and typically a number of international and national partners.

About you You have a positive and curious approach to new tasks, and you are passionate about both hydraulic research and its practical applications. You are able to work together and communicate with anyone from researchers and IT developers to firefighters, police and other emergency professionals. We expect that you are open to collaboration and are able to break down complex issues into smaller, concrete tasks.

Preferred qualifications:

• A Ph.D. or longer higher education in hydrology, environmental technology, geography or similar
• Knowledge of the following types of models:
  • Simple hydrological routing models
  • Hydrodynamic river models such as MIKE Hydro River (MIKE11), HECRAS, etc.
  • 2D flood modelling such as MIKE21, LISFLOOD-FP, etc. for river floodplains, urban drainage systems and coastal flooding
  
  
• Experience with flooding problems from cloudbursts, rivers and streams and/or the sea
• Experience with flood mapping and flood risk assessment

We offer DMI employs highly qualified staff from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. We offer a varied and challenging workday in a competent and dynamic environment. The Flood and Hydrology unit was created April 1, 2022, as part of the Weather Research department. The department's responsibilities cover three units; Flooding and Hydrology, together with two other units, Weather Modelling and Ocean & Radar that carry out research, development and ongoing validation of DMI's forecast systems for weather and marine forecasts. The department also covers national authority services for weather, ocean and flooding.

Your department and unit The Flood and Hydrology unit is part of the Weather Research department, which also includes the Weather Models and Ocean & Radar units. The Flood and Hydrology unit is a new strategic initiative with a strong focus internally as well as externally. We strive to create a coherent full-stack unit, which right now consists of six hydrologists, five IT developers, agile project management and a unit manager. As a newly started unit, we operate as a small flood-focused start-up-like unit within a larger institution, rich in traditions. In the unit, we work according to agile principles, so it is possible to take elements of the new warning system into use, in stages, as they are developed. We work in an open office environment with free seating, a high level of professional freedom and many opportunities for development. We love to try new things and constantly adapt to the changes we are exposed to. We are open to the possibility of hybrid working. DMI is the natural starting point for our close collaboration as a team but working from home is seen as a natural part of this, when and where it makes sense.

About DMI DMI is part of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities. DMI is the government's climate science advisor, creating and disseminating knowledge about weather, climate and the oceans for the kingdom of Denmark. DMI's forecasts, weather forecasts and services ensure life and infrastructure and create a basis for planning in a changing climate. As an authority within weather, climate and the ocean, DMI handles the meteorological services for defence, emergency preparedness, civil aviation and shipping in Denmark and Greenland.

We are approx. 330 employees, most of whom work on Lyngbyvej in Copenhagen. In November 2023, DMI will move 400 metres to new premises at Sankt Kjelds Gård in Østerbro, where the layout will allow for an activity-based way of working.

Salary and terms of employment Employment and remuneration is in accordance with the appropriate collective agreement within the government. An individual salary adjustment may be negotiated depending on your qualifications. The area of employment is within the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and associated institutions. The position is for occupation as soon as possible.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the unit manager for Flood and Hydrology, Simon Kramme, mobile: +45 21 72 69 20 or email: [email protected].

At DMI, diversity is an important value for us, as we believe that an inclusive and versatile work environment strengthens task fulfilment. We work actively with diversity in our employee composition, which is reflected in our inclusive workplace with a balance between work and family life. We therefore encourage everyone to apply for the position regardless of age, gender, sexuality, religion or ethnicity.

Application Send your motivational application, CV and diplomas so we have it no later than October 8. 2023. We expect to hold the first interviews after October 16. Interviews may be based on a specific task. Invitations to interview will be via email.

To apply for the position, click on the "Apply for the position" link and follow the instructions. The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk