Scientist / Postdoc in coupled physical-biogeochemical modelling

The Institute of coastal systems - analysis and modelling at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon hosts a number of highly motivated and experienced researchers in the broad field of coastal research. Our research focus lies on numerical modelling of coastal processes with specific expertise in modelling of atmosphere and marine biogeochemistry and interactions between different environmental compartments on regional and coastal scales.

The working group for Matter Transport and Ecosystem Dynamics at the Department of System Analysis and Modelling invites applications for a researcher position on coupled physical-biogeochemical modelling. The position is limited to 36 months.

Equality of opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position. The position can be filled part-time in principle.

The successful candidate will work on two objectives.
1) The further development of the GCOAST modelling system with a specific focus on the NEMO-ECOSMO E2E coupling and implementation. The models NEMO and ECOSMO E2E are core models of the GCOAST Modelling Framework developed at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. The models are coupled via the generic coupler framework FABM. The candidate will support the team working on the coupled model system to ensure the models' applicability in ongoing and upcoming projects.
2) The improvement of the representation of the carbon cycle using ECOSMO. Representing the marine carbon cycle as good as possible is indispensable for using marine ecosystem models in the context of understanding and predicting the marine carbon cycle. The successful candidate will continue ongoing work on enhancing the model structure of ECOSMO to understand and optimize processes related to carbon sequestration in coastal ecosystems. The work is linked to a number of ongoing research projects at our institute and a close collaboration with the scientists in those projects is prerequisite for a successful implementation of the planned work.

Your tasks

• implementation of NEMO-ECOSMO: model calibration and validation; setup development
• Biogeochemical Model developments focussing on the marine carbon cycle
• statistical analysis of model output
• work as an integrative part of a motivated multidisciplinary team within the institute and external academic partners
• write scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals
• presentation of results at meetings and international conferences

Your profile

• PhD in oceanography, geosciences, marine biology, environmental sciences or related disciplines
• expert knowledge on marine ecosystem modelling
• expert knowledge in physical-biological model coupling (knowledge of NEMO and FABM would be an advantage)
• knowledge in physical-biogeochemical process interactions in the marine realm
• expert knowledge in scientific programming with FORTRAN and related analysing programming languages (e.g. MATLAB, R, Python)
• very good knowledge of English (written and oral)
• good communication skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team of various fields of geosciences
• experience in Data analysis using statistical methods

We offer you

• multinational work environment with ca. 1,100 colleagues from more than 50 nations
• extensive options of vocational training (i. a. expert seminars, language courses or leadership seminars)
• flexible working hours and various models to ensure the compatibility of family and career
• excellent infrastructure, including a scientific in-house library as well as modern work spaces
• remuneration according to the standards of the collective wage agreement TV-AVH including further social benefits
• free employee advice - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• childcare offers
• Welcome Office, guest accommodation
• canteen at the Geesthacht location