PostDoc in Global Terrestrial Biogeochemical Modelling

PostDoc in Global Terrestrial Biogeochemical Modelling

Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry

Jena, Germany

Background and position description

The aim of the Biogeochemical Signals Department (BSI) is to integrate observations and models to better understand present and future interactions among terrestrial biosphere, anthropogenic perturbations, such as land-use, and climate. Amongst others, the department recently integrated the terrestrial biosphere model QUINCY (Thum et al. 2019) into the Earth System Model ICON, and is currently using QUINCY for various ensemble-based projects including offline (i.e. reanalysis-driven simulations such TRENDY, NMIP) as well as coupled (AR7 FastTrack of CMIP7) to understand current trends in the terrestrial greenhouse gas balance as well as future feedbacks between the land biosphere and climate.

The successful candidate will join the Terrestrial Biosphere Modelling group that develops, evaluates and applies the QUINCY model in a range of science initiatives. Areas of analysis for this PostDoc position may focus on using observational constraints (e.g. atmospheric or isotopic observations) to improve model predictions; enhancing model capabilities (e.g. nitrogen-constrained methane production); assessing the importance of the anthropogenic perturbation of the nutrient cycles through land management for current global biospheric trends; and/or analysing offline (i.e. re-analysis-driven) simulations in the context of NMIP, TRENDY or other model intercomparison projects such as WIEMIP.

We are looking for a creative and innovative applicant, who will contribute own ideas and skills to improve theoretical understanding and model representation of terrestrial nutrient limitation at large scales through a combination of observational data synthesis and modelling studies. The exact focus of will depend on the expertise and interests of the successful candidate.

Your Tasks

• Conduct research in, and development of predictive biosphere modelling using the QUINCY model;
• Contribute to BSI’s Terrestrial Biosphere Modelling group by designing and implementing novel model components, analysing simulations and/or developing model evaluation strategies;
• Document research by publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences;
• Develop independent research ideas and interact with researchers within the department as well as the German and European land-surface modelling community through ongoing national and European projects.

Your Profile

• Successfully completed scientific university studies and PhD-thesis in environmental science or environmental engineering, climate or Earth system science, environmental physics, or comparable fields;
• Background in terrestrial biogeochemical cycles, terrestrial ecology, land-atmosphere interactions and numerical modelling;
• Experience in the development and application of (preferably global) process-based ecosystem models and high-performance computing systems is highly desired;
• Experience in at least one higher programming languages (e.g. FORTRAN, C++), and data processing and visualisation language (e.g. Python, R) is required;
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team;
• Demonstrated record of publishing scientific results;
• Very good written and spoken English.