Postdoctoral position in Flood Impact Attribution Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Germany

The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) is offering a Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) in the Inter-Sectoral Impact Attribution and Future Risks group, focused on flood impact attribution. PIK is a leading research institution working on global change, climate impacts, and sustainable development, and this position sits at the intersection of climate science, hydrology, remote sensing, and impact modelling.

The postdoc will contribute to research projects including RAWCLIC and FUTURA, which aim to improve flood risk assessment and attribution by separating climatic drivers from socioeconomic drivers such as urbanization, adaptation, protection, and changing vulnerability. A central challenge addressed by the group is how to identify the specific role of climate change in flood impacts when flood protection and socioeconomic conditions also change over time. The work uses simulated flood indicators, impact records, physical hazard observations, and global datasets consistent with ISIMIP and CMIP-based simulations.

Key tasks include flood damage attribution using hydrological simulations and empirical damage modelling, improving understanding of historical adaptation effectiveness, building a global database for protection levels, condensing historical discharge time series, flooded areas, and flood impacts into a common event database, supporting the integration of protection estimates into global flood models for fluvial and coastal flooding, and contributing to projections of future extreme events. The role also includes publishing results in scientific journals.

The position is funded for 2 years and offered at TV-L Brandenburg salary group E 13. It is advertised as a full-time role of 40 hours per week, with the possibility of part-time employment. The position is based in Potsdam, Germany, on the Telegrafenberg campus, with access to PIK’s interdisciplinary research environment, a strong postdoc network, flexible working options, and collaboration opportunities within international climate and economic research communities.

Applicants are expected to hold a PhD in mathematics, physics, geoscience, environmental science, ecological science, or a related field. Strong data-analysis abilities are essential, especially with empirical, remote-sensing, and simulated model data. Programming skills are required, preferably in Python or R, along with experience in high-performance computing and bash scripting. Skills in remote sensing, including SAR, optical sensors, and LiDAR, are advantageous. The role also requires a proven publication record, willingness to travel, and very good communication skills in German and English.

Applications must be submitted by 2026-09-09 23:59 via the PIK application form. International degree holders should include a ZAB certificate evaluation with their application if available, or be prepared to request one if successful. Further information is available through the ZAB link provided in the advertisement.