PostDoc position as part of German Climate Modeling Initiative PalMod III (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.

For the Earth Resilience Science Unit, PIK is offering a

PostDoc position (m/f/d)

as part of German Climate Modeling Initiative PalMod III

(Position number: 39-2024 PostDoc PalMod)

in the field of Ice Sheet and Earth System Modeling, starting on 01/10/2024 or as soon as possible afterwards.

The position is funded until August 2026. 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 weekly working time of 40 hours per week. The position can be filled on a part-time basis with a minimum of 25 hours per week.

PalMod is a mostly German wide modelling project aiming at understanding the spectrum of climate variability from the last interglacial, through the last glacial to the present and at projecting the climate of the next millennia with comprehensive Earth system models under different scenarios (www.palmod.de/overview). The Earth system modeler position in PalMod-III will have a focus on the interaction and possible feedbacks of the Antarctic Ice Sheet with the solid Earth, the global sea level and the climate.

Key responsibilities:

• Performing simulations with the Parallel Ice Sheet Model PISM coupled to the global solid Earth and sea level model VILMA, to investigate tipping characteristics and potential interhemispheric interactions;
• Coordination with the other ESM modelers within the work package (e.g. CLIMBER-X) and across working groups (e.g. MPI-ESM, AWI-ESM, CESM) and institutes, participating in the German Climate Modeling Initiative PalMod III (https://www.palmod.de);
• Analysis of model output data and publication of results in high-ranked, peer-reviewed, international scientific journals;
• Presentation of key results at international scientific meetings and conferences as well as annual project meetings;
• Contribute to the drafting of project documentation and reports (interim and final project reports);
• Support of e.g. interns, students, doctoral candidates in the processing, evaluation and interpretation of data and in the conception and implementation of research projects.

Requirements:

• Completed scientific higher education degree (PhD) in the field(s) of Earth science, geosciences, physics, mathematics, computer science or a comparable field;
• Demonstrated experience performing simulations with ice sheet, GIA or Earth system models (e.g. PISM, ClimberX, etc.);
• Scientific publication record appropriate for the experience level;
• Experience in scientific software development;
• Knowledge of the state-of-the-art in ice sheet and Earth system modeling;
• Programming skills e.g. in C, BASH, Python;
• Software user knowledge: MS or Libre Office, Linux;
• Proficient in dealing with operating systems and high-performance computing facilities.

We expect:

• the ability to work independently and on your own initiativea
• methodical and systematic approach and the capacity to familiarize yourself quickly with new topics
• a high level of competence in oral and written German and English (equivalent to C1 or better in both languages)
• reliability, engagement and a high level of motivation
• willingness to travel for work (project meetings, workshops etc.) and take part in additional training(s)
• strong willingness and capacity to work as a member of a multi-institutional German paleo modeling initiative;
• a high degree of personal and professional organizational skill.

We offer:

• the opportunity to be part of a creative, interdisciplinary team,
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognized 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 for public transport 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 31/08/2024directly using 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. Torsten Albrecht.