About us:

The Chair for Physical Geography and Land Use Systems (Prof. Julia Pongratz) at LMU’s Department of Geography investigates the interactions between humans, ecosystems and climate. Our group develops and applies the latest generation of carbon cycle and climate models and integrates them with Earth observations. In support of the EU's climate and sustainability targets we open a position in the Horizon Europe project NextGenCarbon. NextGenCarbon will develop a novel framework to improve our understanding and quantification of greenhouse gas budgets, incorporating enhanced ecosystem data, advanced modeling, scenario predictions, and climate policy support. This way, substantial knowledge gaps impeding predictive capabilities and the ability to evaluate the EU's climate policy targets will be closed. A core component will be delivering more accurate estimates of CO2 emissions and removals related to land-use activities, which play a crucial role in the annual Global Carbon Budgets and are increasingly important for cross-validating national greenhouse gas budgets.

We are looking for you:

Postdoctoral researcher for terrestrial carbon cycle modeling (m/f/x)

in Munich

Your tasks and responsibilities:

The postdoctoral researcher will elevate the model-data integration approach to new levels of innovation: novel observation-based information on biomass estimates, regrowth dynamics and impacts of disturbances will be integrated into the semi-empirical land-use flux model BLUE developed at LMU. High-resolution simulations will be run at unprecedented level of detail concerning land-use activities (including land management aimed at carbon dioxide removal) and ecosystem processes.

Responsibilities will be to

• lead the development of a new version of BLUE in close collaboration with the observational partners in NextGenCarbon
• take a leading role in the development of scientific publications and contribute to outreach activities
• co-lead NextGenCarbon’s work package on enhanced model representation of anthropogenic and natural disturbances with coordinative and reporting duties
• engage in shared responsibilities at the Chair and actively contribute to strengthening the intellectual atmosphere of the Department.

Your qualifications:

• You hold a Ph.D., or will soon finish your Ph.D., in a natural science subject (geography, environmental science, physics or similar).
• a track record of effectively communicating research results (appropriate to career stage)
• good programming skills (such as Python or R)
• very good communication skills in English (our working language).

Benefits:

• the opportunity to be part of a dynamic, internationally connected team working at the forefront of Earth system science
• E13 TV-L position, commensurate with work experience, for three and a half years
• career development through the LMU qualification program. To support career development, some teaching at the Department of Geography can be arranged.
• a stimulating working environment at one of Germany’s top-ranked universities. Our institute is located in the heart of the vibrant and internationally diverse city of Munich with excellent public transportation links.
• organizational assistance from the LMU Gateway service for relocation to Munich.

Also possible in a part-time capacity.

Contact:

Please send an application outlining your fit for the position (including a cover letter sketching out your ideas in at least one of the topics mentioned above, a CV, copies of scientific degrees, and the names and contact information of two references) by e-mail (one PDF-attachment with max. 5MB including all documents) with subject "NextGenC-2025LMU" to climate.jobs@geographie.uni-muenchen.de. Applications received prior to February 28, 2025, will receive full consideration, but the position will remain open until filled. Job interviews will take place March 19-21. The starting date is negotiable. For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Julia Pongratz (julia.pongratz@lmu.de).

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