The Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M) is a multidisciplinary center for climate and Earth system research located in Hamburg, Germany. MPI-M contributes to the BMBF project “From the Last Interglacial to the Anthropocene: Modeling a Complete Glacial Cycle” (PalMod, www.palmod.de), which aims at simulating the climate from the peak of the last interglacial up to the present using comprehensive Earth System Models.

For phase II of this project, we have an open position within the cross-cutting activity on model coupling for a Postdoctoral Scientist (W070).  

Melting and growing of ice sheets during glacial cycles is accompanied by pronounced sea-level changes. The resulting flooding of land areas and drying of continental shelves lead to changes in the oceanic coastlines. In case of flooding, carbon and nutrients – previously-stored on land – are transferred into the ocean. These terrestrial sources of organic matter due to sea-level changes influence the global ocean biogeochemistry, with implications for the uptake and release of carbon.

The successful candidate will address whether this land-sea carbon transfer on the shelves plays a substantial role for the glacial-interglacial CO2 variations.

The goal of this work will be to assess the regional and global effects of the land-sea coupling in the context of the MPI’s Earth system model including its ocean biogeochemistry component HAMOCC. The successful candidate will be part of the Research Group Ocean Biogeochemistry in the Department The Ocean in the Earth System.

For further information regarding the position, please contact Tatiana Ilyina (tatiana.ilyina(at)mpimet.mpg.de). Do not forward your application to this email address; the application needs to be submitted through the online application system (see link below).

Requirements:

  • A PhD in Geosciences, Oceanography, Environmental Sciences, or a related field.
  • Experience in performing and analyzing experiments with a comprehensive Earth system model or ocean biogeochemical model.
  • Motivation and ability to participate in model development in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
  • Ability to work autonomously and self-responsible.
  • Excellent communication skills and publication record;
  • Familiarity with coding and running computer models, very good programming skills in C++ and/or FORTRAN (on an HPC Linux platform) and scripting;
  • Knowledge of the MPI-Earth system model or the model HAMOCC would be of advantage.

Employment conditions

  • The position is starting as soon as possible. The contract for phase II of PalMod ends 30 September 2022.
  • Payment will be in accordance with German public service positions (TVoeD E14) including extensive social security plans. The conditions of employment, including promotions and duration, follow the rules of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science and those of the German civil service.
  • The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
  • Handicapped persons with comparable qualifications receive preferential status.

Selection criteria: Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications and ability to fulfil the responsibilities as outlined for this project.

Deadline for applying

All applications received prior to January 25, 2020, will be given full consideration. The search will be continued until the position is filled.We are looking forward to receiving your application including the following documents:

  1. a cover letter,
  2. a detailed curriculum vitae,
  3. copies of certificates, and
  4. the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two referees

Please submit the application to our online application system, which you can find here.