Postdoc position for global modelling of terrestrial carbon dioxide removal (m/f/d)

Climate and Earth system change need 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 a new project in the Working Group “Terrestrial Safe Operating Space” (TESS) in PIK’s Research Department of Earth System Analysis, we are offering a

Postdoc position for global modelling of terrestrial carbon dioxide removal (m/f/d)

(Position number: 52-2021-Postdoc Stepsec)

Awaiting final approval, we aim for a start of the position on 1.10.2021 or somewhat later.

The position is funded for three years. Remuneration is in accordance with the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13, ideally full-time with a working time of 40 hours per week. Appointment is conditional on final approval by the funding agency (BMBF, STEPSEC project).

The work will be to perform and analyse simulations (with the biosphere model LPJmL) of potentials and biogeochemical side effects of different terrestrial carbon dioxide removal schemes (BECCS, PyCCS, afforestation). Research foci will be: drought impacts on the performance of such schemes; complex Earth system feedbacks including on planetary boundaries; intercomparisons with other vegetation models involved in the project. Results will also feed into national-scale analyses and into a larger framework of socio-ecological constraints to carbon dioxide removal technologies. The candidate is expected to cooperate closely with the TESS team and with STEPSEC partners at multiple other German institutes.

Key responsibilities:

• improve the LPJmL model to represent re-/afforestation in line with an existing BECCS/PyCCS module as well as drought effects on the productivity of the different vegetation types
• simulate, spatially and temporally explicitly, carbon sequestration potentials of these techniques under different scenarios, and benchmark and compare results with other vegetation models
• assess effects of future hydrologic (relevant for irrigation) and soil moisture droughts on these potentials
• interpret findings in the context of socio-ecological constraints to carbon dioxide removal, and summarize these in scientific papers

Requirements:

• PhD degree in environmental modelling, terrestrial ecology, geoecology or related disciplines
• expertise in analysing large amounts of geodata, ideally with a background in vegetation modelling
• substantial experience with large-scale ecologic, biogeochemical and/or agricultural modelling and programming

We expect:

• excellent programming/modelling/data analysis skills (ideally with R, C, Linux/Unix, High Performance Computing, shell scripts)
• ability to work on own initiative, reliably in a team, with high motivation
• a systematic approach, guided by product- and paper-oriented thinking
• fluency in oral and written English

We offer:

• the chance to be part of a dynamic team working at the frontier of Earth system science
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally renowned research institute on Potsdam’s historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin
• a collective pay scheme and associated benefits

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, they will be given preference. Applications by persons with a migration background are expressly encouraged. Applications of disabled persons with equal qualifications will be regarded favourably. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.

Please apply by 15.9.2021 directly using ourapplication form .

For further information or to discuss the position please contact Prof. Dr. Dieter Gerten, gerten(at)pik-potsdam.de .

www.pik-potsdam.de