The Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI‑M) is a multidisciplinary center for climate and Earth system research located in Hamburg, Germany. It is one of the premier climate science research institutes in the world. Located in the heart of one of Europe’s most livable and vibrant cities, it provides a highly international and interdisciplinary environment to conduct scientific research as well as access to state-of-the-art scientific facilities. You can also have a virtual tour of our campus.
THE POSITION
We are now opening a 3-year position for
Postdoctoral Scientist (W-0049 | all genders)
The successful applicant will join a team of scientists studying interactions between the water cycle and carbon cycle, combining observations and the next-generation km-scale Earth-system model ICON. In a first step, the successful candidate will conduct simulations with the newly developed Sapphire configuration of the ICON model including carbon cycle at a grid spacing of a few kms and will use the observations from the Amazon Tall Tower to validate the representation of the water and carbon cycles. In a second step, the simulations will be used to investigate the effect of deforestation on the carbon cycle. The research is part of the collaborative project “ATTOsynthesis – Synthesis and modeling of forest-atmosphere interactions at the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory”. This project is part of a bilateral research collaboration between research institutes and universities in Germany and in Brazil around the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) close to Manau. The successful candidate is expected to serve as focal point for the integration of ATTO observations in earth-system model simulations.
YOUR PROFILE
* PhD degree in meteorology, oceanography, physics, mathematics, engineering, or other related fields
* Experience with model simulations is an advantage but not necessary
* Knowledge of and an interest in understanding the physics of the water and carbon cycles
* Excellent programming skills in Python (or related languages)
* Track record of excellent research as documented by scientific publications, presentations and personal references
* Excellent written and oral communication skills, and an ability to work autonomously
OUR OFFER
* Participation in challenging and internationally recognized projects
* Opportunity to develop an individual research profile
* Opportunity to work with a next-generation earth system model, at the forefront of what is technically possible and to conduct first-of-their-kind simulations
* Short research stays in Brazil and at ATTO
* A network of very experienced and innovative colleagues within the institute, and at project partner institutions with a long-proven tradition of sharing knowledge and information
* Possibility for flexible time management and measures to support work‑life balance
* Attractive subsidy for Deutschland-Ticket (HVV Jobticket)
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
* The position is available as soon as possible and ends 31 March 2028
* Payment will be in accordance with German public service positions depending on qualification (E 14 TVöD), including extensive social security plans
* The conditions of employment, including upgrades 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 people of all backgrounds
* The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals
INTERESTED?
Applications received via our online application before September 5, 2025 will receive full consideration.
CONTACT
For further information, please contact Dr Cathy Hohenegger.
Please do not forward your application to this email address. The application documents should include a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, relevant certificates, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two referees. All documents (PDF only) need to be submitted through the online application system.
Deadline: September 5, 2025
Max Planck Institute for Meteorology
Bundesstraße 53
20146 Hamburg
Germany
www.mpimet.mpg.de
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@MPI_Meteo@wisskomm.social