Scientific Position - Marine Biological Pump & Carbon Sink Efficiency

Scientific Position - Marine Biological Pump & Carbon Sink Efficiency

(PhD or Postdoctoral Level)

PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Potsdam, Germany

Background

The project The Role of the Ocean in Earth System Stability investigates how ocean heat and carbon uptake, circulation changes, and biosphere feedbacks may push the Earth system toward critical thresholds. Within this project, work package 1 focuses on the resilience of the marine sinks of heat and carbon, using Earth system and biogeochemical models, observational data, and scenario analysis to identify early-warning signals and tipping points relevant to the Planetary Boundaries framework. Complementing this, work package 2 addresses marine biodiversity, ecosystem health, and biosphere functioning by developing and testing indicators of ecosystem resilience and systemic risk, linking biological change to Earth system stability.

This position is one of several scientific positions within the project and will be embedded in a closely collaborating interdisciplinary team. Please keep your eyes open for related positions advertised in parallel to this one. If you see yourself to be qualified for more than one of them, please re-submit your application for each of the openings separately.

Key responsibilities

• analyse and interpret global ocean biogeochemical output of Earth system model simulations;
• investigate the resilience of the marine biological pump under climate change and other anthropogenic forcing;
• contribute to the calibration and evaluation of model outputs related to ocean heat and carbon uptake;
• conduct scenario-based analyses to explore potential tipping points and early-warning signal;
• integrate observational datasets with model diagnostics where appropriate;
• contribute to synthesis products and policy-relevant outputs within the Planetary Boundaries framework;
• Postdoctoral level: Lead or co-lead modelling analyses (work package 1) and contribute to project-wide synthesis;
• PhD level: Develop and complete a doctoral dissertation aligned with work package 1 objectives.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in Oceanography, Climate Science, Physics, Biogeochemistry, Earth System Science or a related field;
• experience with numerical models and/or large observational datasets;
• strong skills in scientific programming (e.g. Python, Fortran, or similar);
• ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams;
• interest in policy-relevant Earth system research and sustainability frameworks.

PhD level:

• strong interest in global biogeochemical or Earth system modelling;
• affinity for scientific programming and quantitative analysis.

Postdoctoral level:

• proven experience with global biogeochemical and/or Earth system models;
• strong programming skills and experience working with model code and large datasets.

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.