In the coming decades, climate and land use change will have a significant impact on the performance of terrestrial ecosystems, posing major challenges to our society. At the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) – we develop approaches to ensure the performance of ecosystem services (Food, Feed, Fiber, Energy) based on an improved understanding of hydrological and bio-geochemical processes in terrestrial systems. A combination of experiments, modelling and innovative observation technologies is used to bridge the gap between model, process and management scale. We translate our research findings into management options that can be used by political organizations and decision-makers to address these societal challenges. Further information on our mission can be found here.

We are looking to recruit a

Postdoc in “Model-Data Fusion for Terrestrial Systems Modeling”

Your Job:

As a Postdoc at the IBG-3 you contribute to the funded project, build your own research brand, pursue new research ideas, enlarge your network, and contribute to related projects and proposals. In this position you will build up on previous model-data fusion experience to produce continental scale long-term ecosystem simulations in a highly experienced team. The Postdoc is nested in the European Long-Term Ecosystem Research (eLTER PLUS) Horizon 2020 project, aiming at improved transdisciplinary understanding of the multifaceted environmental system in order to develop appropriate mitigation measures to these critical Grand Challenges. The work involves working with an existing, coupled continental scale land surface-subsurface terrestrial systems model including a dynamic vegetation model for the pan-European domain. In this work available time series from the eLTER network, and remotely sensed time series of vegetation, land surface, and subsurface states such as SMOS, SMAP, MODIS, Sentinel and GRACE satellite missions will be used to improve simulated model estimates with help of model-data fusion methods.

Your main tasks will include:

• Work on and establish a validated pan-European scale terrestrial ecosystem model
• Implement data assimilation methods for in-situ and remote sensing data
• Simulate 30 years of hydrological conditions and fluxes conditioned to eLTER network data
• Assess the impact of climate extremes on water related ecosystem services

Your Profile:

• Master and PhD in hydrology or related field (e.g. meteorology, climate sciences, land surface modelling, biogeosciences, simulation sciences)
• Experience in hydrologic, land surface or ecohydrologic modelling along with demonstrated programming skills (e.g., Python, Fortran, R, C++)
• Experience with Linux-based systems and high performance computing
• Scientific track record (relevant ISI listed first author publications)
• Strong background in data science (data assimilation, inverse modelling, data analysis, data management)
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an international, interdisciplinary team
• Very good communication and organizational skills
• Fluent command of English language

Our offer:

• Participation in national and international conferences and workshops
• Further development of own scientific profile through a strong international network
• Cooperation in a highly motivated, international and interdisciplinary team
• Extensive internal and external training opportunities
• Exciting working environment on an attractive research campus, conveniently located in the Cologne-Düsseldorf-Aachen triangle of cities
• Publication of results in international peer reviewed journals
• Flexible work time arrangements and a wide range of options for reconciling work and family life
• Full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours
• Position limited for 2 years
• Salary and social benefits in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD)

Forschungszentrum Jülich promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment relations.
We also welcome applications from disabled persons.

The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your application via our Online Recruitment System!

Questions about the vacancy?

Get in touch with us by using our contact form.

Please note that for technical reasons we cannot accept applications via email.

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