PostDoc in "INSIST: Influence of the New Antarctic Sea Ice State on Stratosphere–Troposphere Co[...]

Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 65.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research institute in environmental science in Germany is seeking a Postdoctoral researcher for the INSIST project on Antarctic sea ice impact. Applicants should hold a PhD in meteorology or related fields, have experience in climate modelling, and programming skills in Python. You will conduct advanced simulations and analyses to understand the implications of sea ice changes. This position offers flexible working hours and an international work environment.

Leistungen

Flexible working hours

Health promotion programs

Family-friendly support services

Qualifikationen

• PhD in meteorology, climate physics, or related fields.
• Experience in climate or atmospheric modelling, ideally with ICON.
• Strong background in atmospheric dynamics and climate variability.

Aufgaben

• Set-up and performance of large-ensemble ICON simulations.
• Evaluate changes in stratospheric circulation and SAM.
• Analyze surface extreme events related to stratospheric variability.

Kenntnisse

Climate modelling

Atmospheric dynamics

Programming in Python

Data analysis

Ausbildung

PhD in meteorology or related fields

Tools

High-performance computing systems

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Research Field Environmental science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Germany Application Deadline 4 Dec 2025 - 07:52 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description: PostDoc in "INSIST: Influence of the New Antarctic Sea Ice State on Stratosphere–Troposphere Coupling and Southern Hemisphere Extreme Events" (m/f/d)

Background

Following decades of stability, Antarctic sea ice has experienced an unprecedented decline in recent years, marking the onset of a new Antarctic sea ice state. This rapid loss of sea ice is expected to profoundly affect atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere, including the strength and variability of the stratospheric polar vortex – a key driver of weather extremes and large-scale dynamics. The INSIST project aims to understand how changes in Antarctic sea ice influence stratosphere–troposphere coupling and downstream extreme events, using advanced high-resolution ICON simulations and causal discovery techniques. The project will combine process-based model analyses with reanalysis data to quantify the direct and causal effects of sea ice changes on large-scale circulation patterns and extreme events.

Your Tasks

• Set-up and performance of large-ensemble ICON atmosphere-only simulations representing recent and future Antarctic sea ice states
• Evaluation of changes in stratospheric circulation, planetary wave propagation, and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM)
• Analysis of surface extreme events over Antarctica and mid-latitudes in relation to stratospheric variability
• Application of causal discovery and complex network methods to identify cause and effect relationships between sea ice changes and atmospheric circulation
• Comparison of simulated results with reanalysis data (ERA5, JRA-3Q) and observational datasets
• Preparation of peer-reviewed publications and presentation of project results at international conferences

Your Profile

• PhD in meteorology, climate physics, physics, or related fields
• Proven experience in climate or atmospheric modelling, ideally with ICON or similar GCMs
• Strong background in large-scale atmospheric dynamics and climate variability
• Advanced programming skills in Python, R, Fortran, or comparable languages
• Experience with data analysis, visualisation, and handling of large datasets on HPC systems
• Very good knowledge of the English language, both written and verbal (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1)
• Basic knowledge of the German language (approximately equivalent to CEFR level A1 + A2)

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Background in stratospheric dynamics, sea ice–atmosphere interactions, or extreme event analysis
• Familiarity with causal inference, network analysis, or other advanced statistical techniques

Further Information

• Our scientific success - excellent research
• Collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
• Opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
• An international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
• Flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working up to 50% of regular working hours
• Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
• Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, physical abilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways. As a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over €5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.