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 find a virtual tour to our campus.

The MPI-M is now opening a five-year position for a Postdoctoral / Research Scientist (W107 | all genders) in the Horizon EU-project EPOC “Explaining and Predicting the Ocean Conveyor” (GA 101059547), which aims at generating a conceptual framework of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

The successful candidate will run high resolution coupled ICON-ESM and MPI-ESM simulations and use these simulations as well as observations to investigate key processes responsible for maintaining or breaking meridional connectivity of ocean transport, identify drivers of recent changes in the AMOC, and assess processes and feedback for future changes in the AMOC. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to project reports and to disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences. Since the project is an international collaboration of twelve leading European institutions, there will be ample opportunities for meetings and exchange.

Your profile

  • PhD in oceanography, meteorology, marine science, environmental sciences, or a similar discipline obtained by the starting date
  • Experience in supercomputer simulations of state-of-the-art Earth system models (ESM), especially the ocean component
  • Familiarity with the coupled ICON model and MPI-ESM is desirable
  • Expertise in analysis and evaluation of big datasets generated by ESMs
  • Solid skills in Unix / Linux, Fortran, Python, CDO, shell scripting, processing, and visualization of simulation data
  • Ability to work both in a team and autonomously
  • Very good spoken and written English language for communication within the group, for the presentation of scientific results in international conferences, and in written papers are required

What we offer

  • Participation in a challenging part of science in an international, intellectually stimulating environment established for the benefit of science and society, not of turnover increases;
  • Complex workflows on the bleeding edge of what is technologically possible as well as working for and with an open-source community;
  • Very good opportunities for self-realization, freedom in and influence upon the decisions what to do, and how to do it;
  • Excellent opportunities for further (self-)training and development, self-organized and/or in external courses and events;
  • 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 (equal opportunities at MPI-M: here).

Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications and ability to fulfill the responsibilities as outlined for this project. Payment will be in accordance with German public service positions depending on qualification (E 13 / 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 position is in principle full time, however, part-time applications will be considered.

The position is offered with a starting date of October 1st, 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter.

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. The Max Planck Society strives to ensure gender equality and diversity and, furthermore, seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

Your application

For further information, please contact Dian Putrasahan (dian.putrasahan@mpimet.mpg.de) or Jochem Marotzke (jochem.marotzke@mpimet.mpg.de). Do not forward your application to these E-Mail addresses; the application documents (PDF only) need to be submitted through our online application system.

We are looking forward to receiving your application including the following documents:

1) A motivation letter
2) A detailed curriculum vitae
3) Copies of certificates.
4) Two references with names, addresses, and telephone numbers.

All applications received prior to August 31st, 2022 will be given full consideration. The search will be continued until the position is filled.