Land surface / carbon cycle modeller (ref. wcr/01, initially 3 years)

We are seeking to fill four senior positions to support the development of our next generation of Earth system models, one senior position for the further development of a global land use change model, and two PhD student positions to work on climate change adaptation in African agriculture.

In order to answer key questions of Earth system dynamics under global change, we develop a new Earth system model of intermediate complexity (including atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, land and ocean biosphere, continental ice sheets and ice shelves, and biogeochemical cycles) as well as a global model of changing land use (including biophysical growth potential and agro-economics). The PhD studentships will apply existing models in order to assess the role of agriculture for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa (in cooperation with GTZ and international partners).

The task involves modelling land surface processes and the terrestrial carbon cycle on the basis of the LPJmL dynamic global vegetation model, both to support the development of the new Earth system model and to conduct studies in the area of paleo-climate and anthropogenic climate change.

Applicants for any of 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. The scientific programmer must document appropriate technical expertise in FORTRAN and C, as well as showing experience in developing task and data parallel applications on distributed memory architectures. For the PhD candidates, work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa would be an asset. All PhD candidates at PIK enrol 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. It is expected that all senior scientists contribute actively to the acquisition of additional research funds for their group. 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 PhD studentships in E 13/2.

All positions are open now. 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