The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
PhD position in “Earth System Modeling – Past climate changes of the Atacama region” (m/f/d)
Background
This PhD project is part of the DFG Collaborative Research Center 1211“Earth – Evolution at the dry limit” subproject A04 “Land-ocean coupling as driver of Atacama palaeoclimate”.Key tasks of this project will be to setup, perform and analyze a series of paleoclimate simulation experiments using the complex Earth System Model (AWIESM), enhanced by a module for stable water isotope diagnostics. The main scientific interest will be on past climate changes of the Atacama Desert region with a focus on major transitions in the global ocean-climate system (middle/late Miocene, Pliocene/Pleistocene, Mid-Pleistocene, LGM/Holocene) and properties of the Humboldt Current. Model output will be compared to both marine and terrestrial proxy data from different CRC 1211 project partners, with a focus on past changes of the hydrological cycle in the Atacama region, currently one of the driest regions of the Earth.
Tasks
- setup and perform simulations with the AWI Earth System Model AWI-ESM with water isotope diagnostics
- analyze model results, focusing on past changes of the water cycle in the Atacama region
- compare isotope model output to various marine and terrestrial proxy data
- develop and evaluate hypotheses on regional climate changes linked to major transitions of the Earth’s climate system
- publishing project findings in peer-reviewed journals
Requirements
- Master Sc. in physics, meteorology, or closely related environmental science disciplines
- strong background in climate science or geosciences and interest in paleo-climate research
- proficiency in at least one programming language
- first hands-on experience with running complex numerical models
- strong motivation and ability to work in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment
- be willing to present results at international conferences and to publish in peer-review journals
- good communication skills in English, both oral and written
Further information
For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with PD Dr Martin Werner (Martin.Werner@awi.de; +49(471)4831-1882)
This is limited to 3 years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13 (75%) . The place of employment will be Bremerhaven .
All doctoral candidates will be members of AWI’s postgraduate program POLMAR or another graduate school and thus benefit from a comprehensive training program and extensive support measures.
The AWI is characterized by
- our scientific success – excellent research
- collaboration and cooperation – intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
- opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
- an international environment – ​​everyday contact with people from all over the world
- flexible working hours
- health promotion and company fitness
- support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
- occupational pension provision (VBL)
AWI values ​​diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, physical abilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you , even before you start at AWI.
We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application by September 1st 2024, exclusively online.
Reference number: 24/148/D/Kli-b
