Scientific Project Coordinator 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.

In the Research Department Earth System Analysis, we are offering an exciting opportunity to be part of the new Planetary Boundary Science Initiative (PBScience). We are offering a

Scientific Project Coordinator position (m/f/d)

(Position number: 08-2024 Scientific Project Coordinator)

ideally, starting as soon as possible.

The position is initially funded until March 2027. Extensions are envisaged but depend on new external funding. Remuneration is in accordance with the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13. This is a full-time position with a working time of 40 hours per week. The position can be filled on a part-time basis. 

Background:

The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and its partners are launching a major project: The Planetary Boundary Science Initiative (PBScience).

As part of this initiative we are working with a number of fairly divers partners (like Future Earth, the Planetary Guardians, ESA, Planet), whose inputs and needs have to be coordinated. These partnerships range from science collaborations to the development of scientific communication tool kits and other outreach projects. We are also striving to better integrate the Global South into the Planetary Boundary Science research by e.g. organizing regional co-creation workshops in corresponding countries that aim at identifying specific needs and lay the foundation for future cooperation. 

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate will become the scientific project coordinator of PBScience, support the scientific lead, and in general act as the interface between science and administration. This includes for example

• Scientific support, coordination and organization of the tasks of within PB Science 
• Control and steering of projects: Monitoring of project objectives, control of technical and human resources, adjustment of deadlines to the progress of projects, budget compilation and monitoring, 
• Preparation, follow-up and moderation of meetings for the PB Science team
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and supervision of PB Science staff
• Management of international projects / conferences / trainings at home and abroad (in particular plan and stage the co-creation workshops in the Global South)
• Help build the Planetary Boundary Science network 
• Liaison with funders and administrative staff and identification of new stakeholders
• Coordination with related projects and partners (in particular Future Earth, the Planetary Guardians, Globaia, the Earth Commission, and Earth HQ)
• Set up and organize a PB Science Scientific Advisory Council
• Begin development of a PB Health Check Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
• Preparation of research results for effective publicity materials and platforms, including the PB Science website
• Ensure regular progress tracking and reporting, including the preparation and processing of project progress reports for funders
• Coordination with other organizational units of PIK and support of administrative processes for the PB Science staff

Requirements

• Master’s degree in environmental or political science, international relations, or in another subject that is related to the research carried out at PIK
• Experience in science communication and the interpretation of scientific results
• Motivation to learn and communicate about Planetary Boundary Science
• Analytical interest in and understanding of political and scientific debates
• Project management skills and experience in coordinating scientific projects with several partners as well as in stakeholder network management
• Experience in working in both an international and a scientific environment
• Fluency in German and English
• Familiarity with presentation techniques as well as computer skills in the field of standard software, especially MS Office
• Knowledge of copyright law in the context of the regulations on good scientific practice and ethics are welcomed

We expect

• Very good writing and communication skills
• Basic scientific understanding
• the ability to work independently and on your own initiative
• structured and goal-oriented thinking
• capacity to familiarize yourself quickly with new topics
• creativity and openness to new approaches
• Correspondence in English and German with administrative staff and international high-ranking partners 
• reliability, the ability to cope with the challenges of research environments, and a high level of motivation
• willingness to travel for work (project meetings, workshops etc.) and take part in further training
• willingness to work with a team of scientists
• organisational talent and flexibility

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,
• 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 using our application form below this job advertisement.

The application process remains open until the position is filled.

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 Dr. Levke Caesar, Telephone+49 (0)331-288-27042 or per Email: caesar@pik-potsdam.de