Junior research position or post-doctoral position (m/f/d)

The climate needs 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 European Union HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based agreement project PREVENT - Im-proved Predictability Of Extremes Over The Mediterranean From Seasonal To Decadal Timescales - PIK is offering a

Junior research position or post-doctoral position (m/f/d)

(Position number: 19-2025 Postdoc PREVENT)

in the field of Weather Extremes and Climate Modelling, starting on 01.09.2025.

The position is funded for 12 months. Remuneration is in accordance with the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13. This is a part-time position with a weekly working time of 30 hours per week.

Key responsibilities:

PIK is seeking a qualified junior researcher or postdoctoral scientist responsible for the estimation of future fire risk with the use of the updated SPITFIRE model, based on future projections of temperature, surface winds and precipitation obtained from CMIP6 models for certain fire-prone Mediterranean regions. The successful candidate will (1) analyse the atmospheric conditions leading to increased fire weather index and burned area in ERA5 reanalysis over the Mediterranean, (2) these conditions will be tested in CMIP6 models, to (i) check whether the models can reproduce such conditions and (ii) assess future changes in these patterns under different global warming scenarios.

Requirements:

• The successful applicant should hold a MSc or PhD degree in physics, mathematics/statistics, climate science or a related discipline
• A solid background in climate and atmospheric sciences, and extreme weather ideally supported by knowledge of machine learning and time series analysis is of advantage, as is coding experience with e.g. Python/Matlab/R
• Practical experience with High Performance Computing, and scientific programming and a willingness to learn to work with high-performing computing systems
• Expertise with scientific data analysis

We expect:

• the ability to work independently and on your own initiative
• a methodical and systematic approach
• structured and goal-oriented thinking
• capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics
• creativity and openness to new approaches
• a high level of competence in oral and written English
• reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation
• capacity for teamwork

We offer:

• the chance to be part of an engaged, interdisciplinary team,
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognised research institute on Potsdam's beautiful, historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin,
• company KITA/kids day nursery “Geolino” directly in the science park on Telegrafenberg, within walking distance of PIK
• flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours),
• a collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job.

PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photo. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities, or age. 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, women will be given preference. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.

Please apply by 14.07.2025 directly via our application form below this job advertisement on our website.

If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. If you do not yet have a transcript evaluation, please note that you may have to request one if your application is successful. For further information, please visit the website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html

For further information or to discuss the position please contact Giorgia Di Capua.