Post-doctoral / research analyst position (m/f/d)

The climate needs bright minds. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development. It is one of the world's leading research insti­tutions in its field and offers natural and social scientists from around the world an inspiring environment for excellent inter­disciplinary research.

As part of the Leibniz-Lab “Systemic Sustainability”, PIK is offering a

Post-doctoral / research analyst position (m/f/d)

(Position number: 17-2024 Systemic Sustainability)

on food systems within environmental boundaries preferably starting on 01.07.2024.

The position is funded until March 2027. Remuneration is in accordance with the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13, ideally on a full-time basis with a working time of 40 hours/week. Appointment is conditional on final approval by the funding agency and the coordinating institute.

It is one of several positions located in different institutes participating in the Leibniz Association’s new Leibniz-Lab “SYSTAIN (Systemic Sustainability) – Biodiversity, Climate, Agriculture and Food within Planetary Boundaries” (see https://www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/forschung/leibniz-labs/systemische-nachhaltigkeit).

Key responsibilities

• Combination and synthesis of different datasets (available in ~40 participating institutes) at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity, and agricultural production and consumption
• Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the current status of countries, regions and the globe regarding respective sustainability goals and planetary boundaries
• Analysis of systemic effects of breaching these boundaries
• Evaluation of the systemic sustainability of selected transformation pathways
• Writing of scientific papers and dissemination of research findings to the general public

Requirements

• PhD degree and work experience in ecology, agronomy, geography, system analysis, or related disciplines
• Expertise in analysis and synthesis of ecological and/or food system data
• Proven skills in large-scale ecologic, agricultural or hydrologic modelling and programming

We expect

• Ability to work on your own initiative, both at PIK and in a larger team across different Leibniz institutes, including strong organizational talent
• A systematic approach guided by goal-oriented thinking
• Ability to perform qualitative and quantitative data analysis and synthesise derived knowledge in structured ways
• Capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics, in an inter- / transdisciplinary manner based on systemic thinking
• Engagement, high level of motivation
• Willingness to travel for work (project meetings, workshops including presentations)

We offer

• The chance to be part of a creative, interdisciplinary team
• A stimulating working environment in an internationally recognized research institute on Potsdam's beautiful, historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin
• Possibility for flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours),
• A collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidized travel card or the Deutschland-Ticket Job

PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photo. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities, or age. PIK seeks to increase the share of women in scientific positions and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. In cases of equal qualification and within the given legal scope, women will be given preference. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.

Please apply by 12.05.2024 directly via our application form below this job advertisement.

If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit the Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. In the case that you do not yet have a ZAB Statement of Comparability for your qualification, please be aware that you will need to request this if your application is successful. You can find further information on this website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html

For further information or to discuss the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Dieter Gerten by phone +49 (0)331-288-2494 or by email: dieter.gerten@pik-potsdam.de.