Job Description

MBZUAI invites applications for a fully funded Research Engineer position in AI for Weather Forecasting for 3-12 months, with flexibility, under the supervision of Prof. Souhaib Ben Taieb. The role is embedded within a collaborative research program between MBZUAI and the AI for Climate initiative at the University of Chicago, supported by funding from the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court of the United Arab Emirates and the Gates Foundation. The program advances AI-based weather forecasting and supports its operational use in low- and middle-income countries. The position includes a competitive tax-free monthly salary, housing allowance, comprehensive medical insurance, an annual return flight, and full visa application support.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and evaluate machine-learning methods for weather forecasting and related spatiotemporal problems.
• Build reliable and reproducible workflows for processing data, training models, and evaluating forecasts.
• Conduct experiments, establish appropriate baselines, analyze model performance, and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Develop and document forecasting models and research software suitable for research and operational settings.
• Collaborate with researchers and national and international partners working in weather and climate services.

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is a world-leading university dedicated to advancing AI as a global force for good. The UAE’s visionary leaders established MBZUAI to educate and develop top talent, conduct advanced research, foster an innovation ecosystem, and act as a strategic think tank for the public and private sectors.

The University attracts world-class thinkers and doers in computer science, AI, bioscience, humanities and beyond. Our groundbreaking academic research initiatives are working on developing future solutions that will impact the world and change the way we imagine things.

Why Join MBZUAI?

· Top-Tier Compensation: Competitive salaries aligned with leading global academic institutions

· Exceptional Benefits:

o Comprehensive health & life insurance

o Relocation support for international hires

· Live in Abu Dhabi: World’s safest city, year-round sunshine, rich culture, and modern amenities

· Industry & Government Collaborations: Work with top AI researchers, leading tech firms, and policymakers

Qualifications

• Experience applying machine-learning methods to weather forecasting, climate analysis, or spatial data.
• Strong Python programming skills and experience with a commonly used machine-learning framework.
• Experience working with weather or climate datasets, such as reanalysis, satellite, observational, or forecast data.
• Knowledge of machine learning and statistical modeling.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English.
• Master's degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Atmospheric or Climate Science, or a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with scientific-data tools and formats such as xarray, Dask, NetCDF, or Zarr.
• Experience with GPU computing, distributed training, high-performance computing, or cloud computing.
• Experience with probabilistic forecasting, ensemble methods, uncertainty quantification, data assimilation, or forecast evaluation.
• Experience with Git, Linux, automated testing, reproducible environments, or container tools.
• Familiarity with agricultural or environmental applications of weather forecasts and interdisciplinary or international collaborations.
• Coursework or training in machine learning, spatiotemporal modeling, weather or climate science, data assimilation, or scientific computing.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please submit the following items: Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
3. A link to your Google Scholar profile.
4. A 1–2 page research statement outlining directions you would like to pursue in AI and weather forecasting.
5. Name and contact details for two referees (Referees will be contacted if the candidate moves to the final stages)