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Title

5 Vacancies in the Research Domain “Climate Impacts & Vulnerabilities”

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Sustainability, Climate, CSR, EMS
Location Germany (West) - Europe
Town/City Potsdam
Salary Range Dependent on Experience
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Voluntary & Interns
Deadline 01/11/2008
Company Name The Potsdam - Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Contact Name Dr. J. Kropp
Email kropp@pik-potsdam.de
Website Further Details / Applications
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Description

We are seeking to fill 5 junior (PhD candidates), 1 senior, and 1 scientific administrator position. Positions will contribute to the development of a Global Climate Impact and Adaptation Information System embedded in a project to be carried out in close cooperation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). Targeted countries in this context are India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, South-Africa and Tunisia. All positions require the willingness to work on climate change issues from a developing country perspective and for international travel. Teamwork, enthusiasm, flexibility, innovation, and excellent spoken and writing skills in English are prerequisite. Working knowledge in Spanish, French or Portuguese is an additional asset.

The project will be carried out in the working group North-South Theme within PIK’s Research Domain 2 (“Climate Impacts & Vulnerabilities“). The North-South Theme focuses on development in particular with respect to the potential avoidance of ill-management and development traps associated with the challenges of climate change. The overarching idea of the project is to frame and to provide regional climate impact analyses for relevant sectors/regions in the target countries, and in parallel to design visionary and foresighted transition pathways to sustainability, information provision, and decision support. Central questions are, for example, to identify future no-stay/no-go areas as well as to evaluate innovative development pathways towards sustainability reconciling mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.

 Senior Scientist (PostDoc) (initially until 31.12.2010, kr01)

Qualification: PhD in physics, economics, physical geography or a closely related field, broad programming experience, a strong background in climate impact research, understanding of interdisciplinary linkages between social and natural sciences.
Tasks: Strategy formulation for the research group, in particular with regard to the Global Climate Impact and Adaptation Information System, take responsibility in the development of project steering and communication, supervisory experience. Evaluation and analysis of impact chains, monetary valuation of direct and indirect climate impacts on the base of available data, calculation of economic costs of adaptation measures; optional  programming of analysis-tools. Carry out impact and policy assessments, formulation of systematic analysis frameworks, and active contribution to the acquisition of additional research funds for the group.

2 Geographers (initially until 31.12.2010, kr02)

Qualification: An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Geography (social/physical), geoecology or in a closely related field. Good knowledge of all thematic areas of climate change (climate impact analysis, adaptation and mitigation, technology transfer) particularly from the developing country perspective, and GIS expertise is necessary.
Tasks: Conduct regional climate impact analyses, development and systematic analyses of adaptation concepts for the target regions. Research will focus on sector-specific climatic impacts, and as well on the development of protection concepts with due consideration of climate protection, adaptation, and sustainability. A close cooperation with other projects targeting developing countries is mandatory. You should develop, implement and contribute to the improvement of processes and procedures concerning adaptation in the target regions. Close cooperation with scientific and administrative institutions, presentation of results to various audiences and communication with stakeholders are required.

Economist (initially until 31.12.2010, kr03)

Qualification: An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in economy or natural sciences, strong analytical and business problem solving ability, mathematical and statistical skills, good knowledge of insurance and development economics.
Tasks: Research will include analysis of insurance market trends and development of concepts for developing countries. Here the poor will be emphasized in particular, with respect to catastrophe exposure and risk. Further research will include to carry out market and revenue analysis for existing models, and preparing model scope documents, contribution to the preparation of technical white papers and reports.

Computer Scientist/Programmer (initially until 31.12.2010, kr04)

Qualification:
An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in computational science, appropriate technical expertise in JAVA, C, Web 2.0, databank management, HTTP, and expertise in front end development.
Tasks: Development of graphical front end of an information system comprising climate information, regionalised impact maps, and adaptation expertise. The information is to a large extent geographically explicit. The information tool should be designed for being used by scientists in developing countries and experts in development cooperation. Exchange and cooperation with existing experts an PIK will be expected.

Climatologist/Statistician (initially until 31.12.2010, kr05)

Qualification: An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in atmospheric and/or climate sciences, physics, or mathematics. Experiences in programming languages and good communication skills are essential.
Tasks: Moving forward towards small scale climate scenarios for developing countries, aggregation of output of climate model runs to achieve usable indicators for regional impact analyses and decision-making. Development of quantitative/qualitative indicators to assess climate risks. Cooperation with other PIK field-related working groups, in particular with those producing scenario outputs.
 
Technical Assistant/Project Administration (initially until 31.12.2010, kr06)

Qualification: An advanced university degree (M/Eng. or equivalent) in a technical, physical or business discipline. IT literacy, interest for climate impact research, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, team oriented work style.
Tasks: Support working group heads in the effective research management, e.g. scheduling, reporting, budget surveillance. Implementation of work plans of operations, assist in the preparation of reports and in the organisation of meetings, and conduct of missions from abroad. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines, strong written and verbal communication skills in German and English. Technical support and coordination of the project with regard to other activities in the North-South Theme.

Applicants for the senior/PostDoc positions must possess appropriate scientific competence in relevant fields at a level equivalent to a doctorate (PhD), including an international publication record. For the PhD candidates, work experience in developing countries would be an asset. All PhD candidates at PIK enroll in the PhD programme of one of the PIK partner universities in Potsdam or Berlin and must fulfill requirements specified there.

All applicants should enjoy working in an international and interdisciplinary team. The main working language is English. Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany (TV-L Ost), for the senior positions depending on qualifications up to E 14, for the technical project assistance E10-12, for the PhD studentships E 13/2.

All positions are open from October 1st 2008 (subject to final acceptance). Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis until the positions are filled.

Applications, including curriculum vitae, a letter describing relevant experience and interests, and the name and address of two referees should be sent to:

Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Schellnhuber
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
P.O. Box 60 12 03 14412 Potsdam, Germany

Electronic applications are welcome as well. Please, send electronic applications directly to Dr. J. Kropp (kropp-at-pik-potsdam.de).

For further information about the posts, contact Dr. Jürgen Kropp (kropp-at-pik-potsdam.de, +49-331-2882526). General information about PIK can be found at www.pik-potsdam.de.

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