Big data management and analysis position (m/f/d)

The climate needs bright minds. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development. It is one of the world's leading research institutions in its field and offers natural and social scientists from around the world an inspiring environment for excellent interdisciplinary research.

In the Research Department Earth System Analysis, we are offering an exciting opportunity to be part of the new Planetary Boundary Science Initiative (PBScience). We are offering a

Big data management and analysis position (m/f/d)

(Position number: 30-2024 Big Data Management)

ideally starting on 01.10.2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is initially funded until June 2027. Extensions are envisaged but depend on new external funding. Remuneration is in accordance with the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13. This is a full-time position with a working time of 40 hours per week. The position can be filled on a part-time basis.

Background:

PBScience will produce a frequent health check of planet Earth (Planetary Boundary Health Check, PBHC) which will advance the common PB framework and which is planned to become a dashboard style easy to access web application. Besides a strong collaboration with numerous renowned external partners PBScience will directly employ at least 18 scientists at PIK of which 8 will be situated in a newly established Planetary Boundary Science Lab. This lab will be responsible to conduct and advance PB assessments by integrating PBScience wide data as well as leveraging common and modern data analysis techniques.

The successful candidate will be part of the new lab and will play a crucial role for managing, processing and analyzing large datasets, essential for the development and implementation of a standardized and automated assessment of the PBs, a workflow we call the PB Analyzer. The PB Analyzer will integrate various data and information sources with modern techniques of data processing and analysis to break new ground in handling the flood of modern scientific data and the respective uncertainties. As a postdoctoral researcher in Big Data Management, the candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining the data architecture and ensuring efficient data processing and integration within the PB Analyzer framework. The work will be pivotal in supporting the overall project by connecting multiple interdisciplinary teams in PBScience and opens the opportunity to bring in own ideas for data management and analysis.

Key responsibilities:

• Work in a multidisciplinary team towards the development of a PB Analyzer.
• Data Management: Develop and implement robust data management protocols to ensure data integrity, security, and accessibility, including data storage, retrieval, and archiving processes.
• Software Development: Develop and maintain software tools and databases for big data processing and analysis in PB research.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations by integrating data across different scientific domains to address complex environmental issues related to planetary boundaries.
• Data Analysis: Conduct extensive data analysis using large datasets relevant to PBs, including climate models, environmental observations, and socio-economic data.
• Research and Development: Design and develop novel methodologies for integrating and analyzing big data to understand planetary boundaries and their thresholds. This should include common statistical and novel machine learning or AI methods. 
• Collaborative Research: Work closely with interdisciplinary teams of scientists, data analysts, and environmental researchers to support comprehensive studies on planetary boundaries.
• Publication and Dissemination: Prepare high-quality research papers for peer-reviewed journals, present findings at international conferences, and contribute to public outreach and dissemination of research outcomes.
• Grant Writing and Funding: Assist in writing research proposals to secure funding for ongoing and future research projects.
• Mentoring and Training: Mentor graduate students and junior researchers in big data techniques, data management practices, and planetary boundary science, providing guidance and support for their research activities.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. in a relevant field, e.g. Environmental Science, Data or Computer Science
• Expertise in Big Data: Proven experience in handling and analyzing large datasets, preferably in environmental or climate-related research, this also includes common statistics, machine learning.
• Knowledge in applying modern AI techniques is preferable.
• Strong skills in data management, including data storage, retrieval, security, and archiving.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or MATLAB, and experience with big data tools and frameworks (e.g., Hadoop, Spark).
• A solid track record of conducting independent research, with publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Software Development: Experience in developing and maintaining software tools for data analysis and management.
• Experience in writing research proposals and securing funding is desirable.

We expect:

• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team, collaborating with scientists, data analysts, and policymakers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex data and research findings clearly and effectively.
• Willingness to mentor graduate students and junior researchers, providing guidance in big data techniques and research methodologies.
• High level of proficiency in the English language
• Reliability, the ability to cope with the challenges of research environments, and a high level of motivation
• Willingness to travel for work (project meetings, workshops etc.) and take part in further training

We offer:

• the chance to be part of a creative, interdisciplinary and new team that produces regular updates on the planet’s health and aims at advancing the scientific landscape
• establish and learn from an international network of re-owned scientists, partners and players like Earth system modelling groups, remote sensing and tech companies, people of public significance, influential think tanks, NGOs, and much more
• to conduct ground-breaking research with state-of-the-art methods
• to convey the most important messages of this century to society
• a meaningful job with real-world impact
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognised research institute on Potsdam's beautiful, historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin,
• flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours),
• a collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job.

PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photo. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities, or age. PIK seeks to increase the share of women in scientific positions and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. In cases of equal qualification and within the given legal scope, women will be given preference. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.

Please apply by 26.08.2024directly via our application form. The application process remains open until the position is filled.

If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit the Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. In the case that you do not yet have a ZAB Statement of Comparability for your qualification, please be aware that you may need to request this if your application is successful. You can find further information on this website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html

For further information or to discuss the position please contact Dr.Levke Caesarand Dr.Boris Sakschewski.