Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in the field of “Modeling of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agricultural and Forest Systems of Germany – Agri-For-Live.”
Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research / Atmospheric Environmental Research (KIT/IMK-IFU) at Campus Alpin in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
The division “Bio-Geo-Chemical Processes” of the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research / Atmospheric Environmental Research (KIT/IMK-IFU) at Campus Alpin in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association creates and imparts knowledge for society and the environment. Our goal is to make significant contributions to mastering the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, over 9000 KIT employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in research, academic education, and innovation.
Homepage: https://imk-ifu.kit.edu/bgc.php
Biogeosciences (BG)
Soil System Sciences (SSS)
The announced position is embedded in the BMBF-funded collaborative project Integrated Greenhouse Gas Monitoring for Germany and will be carried out in close collaboration with the Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Thünen Institute.
ITMS is designed to enable Germany to operationally monitor the sources and sinks of the three most important greenhouse gases (GHG), CO2, CH4 & N2O, via an independent integrative measurement and modeling approach. The collaboration project will support data-driven GHG monitoring and increase the transparency of climate mitigation measures.
Agri-For-Live belongs to the Module Sources of Sinks of Greenhouse Gases. Herein we develop modelling approaches that make it possible to simulate “a-priori” fluxes of greenhouse gas exchange between the surface and the atmosphere which is of central importance to inform the inverse atmospheric modelling of Module M, alongside observational data provided by Module B.
The successful candidate will
- Improve the biogeochemical model LandscapeDNDC and develop a module for the process-based modeling of N2O freeze-thaw events.
- Calibrate and evaluate the model based on information gained in N2O stable isotope measurements.
- Compile input datasets with different spatial and temporal aggregations for two federal states.
- Carry out uncertainty analyses by comparing the model simulations of LandscapeDNDC when using input data in different spatial and temporal resolutions.
- Interpret and discuss model results in close collaboration with ITMS project partners.
We seek a highly motivated person experienced in biogeochemical modeling who likes to get to the bottom of things and enjoys working in a team with the following qualifications:
- University degree (PhD) in physics, environmental sciences, geoecology, chemistry, or any related field
- Sound programming skills (C/C++, Fortran, SVN, Git, Python, R, Bash)
- Experience in ecosystem modeling
- Knowledge of spatial analysis and GIS systems
- Understanding of biogeochemical carbon and nitrogen cycles in plant-soil systems
- English language proficiency and ability to write scientific publications
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Further we expect english language proficiency, the ability to write scientific publications as well as Strong communication and teamwork skills
We offer
- International, interdisciplinary, and friendly working environment
- Large international network
- Attractive research campus at the foot of Germany’s highest mountain
- The gross salary depends on qualification and experience within the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service Sector (TV-L 13), with the position being limited to 3 years
Applications should be submitted as a single PDF Document via the Application Portal of the KIT-Campus Alpin vacancy number 86/2024 and should include a detailed CV, including personal contact information and two references, as well as a statement addressing the following points:
- What skills and abilities would you bring to the team?
- What skills and abilities would you hope to gain from working in this position? What is your specific research interest regarding agriculture and climate change?
For further information, please get in touch with PD Dr. Ralf Kiese (“ralf.kiese(at)kit.edu”).
Please send your application until 29.02.2024. We expect to fill the position by the beginning of March 2024, but the application will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found.
We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore, we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job. Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.