Early Career Researcher Position (PhD or Postdoctoral Level) in Paleoclimate Modelling at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Germany

The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) is offering an Early Career Researcher position at either the PhD or postdoctoral level within the 'Past and Future Earth' (PATH) working group, part of the Research Department 'Earth System Analysis.' This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in paleoclimate modelling, Earth-system simulations, and interdisciplinary climate research. The position is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and is connected to the international GOE-DEEP initiative, which aims to study the climate during Earth's first rise of oxygen and global glaciation approximately 2.4 billion years ago.

Key responsibilities include designing, running, and analysing equilibrium and transient simulations with a coupled Earth-system model of intermediate complexity to investigate the Paleoproterozoic climate. The successful candidate will interact with the GOE-DEEP science team, particularly those working on biogeochemical modelling, to test different scenarios around the Great Oxidation Event. Linking model results to proxy data from GOE-DEEP cores, presenting findings at international conferences, and publishing in scientific journals are integral parts of the role.

Applicants should hold a master's degree or PhD in physics, meteorology, geosciences, or related fields relevant to Earth-system science. Experience in climate/Earth-system modelling, Linux/Unix, High Performance Computing, scientific programming, and scientific data analysis is recommended, or candidates should be willing to learn these skills. Strong scientific writing skills and proficiency in both German and English are required. The position demands independence, initiative, structured thinking, creativity, reliability, motivation, and teamwork.

The position offers up to 36 months of funding for PhD candidates and up to 24 months for postdoctoral researchers, with remuneration according to the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13 (75% for PhD, 100% for postdoc). Benefits include a collective pay scheme, subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job, flexi-time and mobile working options (up to 50%), and access to facilities such as a company nursery and e-bike charging stations on the historic Telegrafenberg campus in Potsdam, close to Berlin.

PIK values equality and diversity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and explicitly supporting women and parents returning from parental leave. The application deadline is 21 May 2026, but the process remains open until the position is filled. International applicants should submit a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) if successful. For further information, visit the ZAB website or contact Prof. Dr. Georg Feulner.

To apply, use the application form linked below this job advertisement on the PIK website.