Scientific Programmer / Postdoctoral Researcher: Atmospheric Modelling and observations (f/m/d)

The following position (TV-L E13 100%) is to be filled at the Institute of Environmental Physics for a limited period of initially 3 years:

Scientific Programmer / Postdoctoral Researcher: Atmospheric Modelling and observations (f/m/d)

The Institute of Environmental Physics conducts research on the topics atmospheric and climate modeling with a focus on the interactions with aerosols. We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral scientist or scientific programmer who is interested in fundamental research on the effect of aerosols on weather and climate. The successful candidate will perform experiments with the new German Earth system model and analyze the model output. The work will include comparisons of the experiment outputs to results from other atmosphere and climate models, e. g., from current and past phases of CMIP and the Aerosol Chemistry Model Intercomparison Project (AerChemMIP). Evaluations of the model results against observational datasets of different origin and format are expected. Moreover, the position contributes to the training of physics students at Bachelor, Master and PhD level, and will include a teaching contribution to the Institutes teaching program within the physics faculty. As successful candidate, you will collaborate with other research institutes and modelling centers, and you will be a supportive team member and mentor for our next generation of climate scientists. The position plays a key role in the new research team of Prof. Dr. Stephanie Fiedler.

Your tasks:

You will be responsible for performing and analyzing experiments with ICON, Germany's next CMIP model, and the scientific analysis of big data sets from model experiments and observations.

You will co-create and perform new experiments with ICON as contribution to AerChemMIP2/CMIP7, manage and document the model output, and be responsible for the quality control of the experiments.

You will acquire the necessary skills for developing automated detection algorithms for spatio-temporally changing patterns and applying machine learning techniques for creating forecasts, classifications, and parameterizations.

You will be responsible for the network and software infrastructure for meteorological instruments.

You will contribute to university classes for small student groups in programming and environmental physics, co-supervise bachelor and master projects from the technical side, and support team members in solving programming questions.

Your profile:

You hold a PhD degree in physics, climate sciences, meteorology, computer sciences or a closely related field, preferably obtained within the last three years, and have experience in research on atmospheric, climate or Earth system modelling on local or global scales.

You have excellent skills in programming for big data analysis (python, shell scripts, FORTRAN and/or comparable), and in performing experiments with computer models, ideally with comprehensive knowledge on how to handle complex programs and data streams as needed for performing experiments with climate models on high-performance computers (ICON or similar).

You are interested in applying methods for automated detections of weather (e. g., cyclones, jets, frontal systems) and being at pace of developments in artificial intelligence to support the method transfer from machine learning to our research field.

You have first experience in scientific research involving the modeling of the atmosphere, climate change, Earth system dynamics, and/or radiative transfer for different atmospheric compositions.

You have achieved very good results in education and training.

You are enthusiastic and enjoy working both in a team and on your own.

You have very good oral and written English skills (German is not mandatory) and the willingness for inter-/national travel to external collaborators. Experience in acquiring computing time and third-party funding is welcome.

You enjoy inspiring younger students for scientific programming and environmental physics, and want to further develop your skills in the sense of lifelong learning.

We offer:

An internationally active research team on climate, aerosols and modeling based in Heidelberg

A young, motivating and dynamic research team in a stimulating and internationally recognized environment for excellent research

A modern research infrastructure, offers for additional training support and mentoring programs for a successful start of your career at Heidelberg University

The appropriate financial framework and access to super-computing resources for our joint successes

Freshly refurbished working rooms with modern computers and laboratories for experimental field work in environmental physics

A life in a beautiful historic city with diverse offers for leisure and sport, good traffic connections and a vibrant international scene

The position is not divisible due to the requirements of deliverables according to project plans. Depending on qualifications, remuneration will be up to pay grade E13 TV-L.

We look forward to receiving your electronic application with the usual documents (CV, motivation letter, certificates, etc.) in a single PDF file by e-mail to job_application@iup.uni-heidelberg.de stating the job identifier «IUP-2025-PD1». A first cutoff date for applications is 26 January 2025 with job interviews in mid-February, but the position remains open for applications until it is filled. The start date of the position is flexible and ideally on 1 April 2025.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.