Job Opening at University of Hamburg: Postdoctoral | Research Associate for the Project “PalMod Phase III” 
Examining the response of the ocean carbon storage to abrupt events during the last deglaciation

Institution: Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Earth System Sciences
Salary level: EGR. 14 TV-L
Start date: as soon as possible, fixed until 31.12.2026 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with 
Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).
Application deadline: 31.03.2024
Scope of work: full-time position suitable for part-time

Your responsibilities
Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue 
independent research and further academic qualifications.

The Project PalMod Phase III is a project between Universität Hamburg and several other German research 
institutes and universities, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF), to understand 
Earth system dynamics and variability during the last glacial cycle.

Model simulations in PalMod Phase II with cryosphere-ocean-atmosphere interactions in MPI-ESM have 
captured some features of the abrupt events of the last deglaciation (Heinrich events, Bølling-Allerød 
warming, Younger Dryas). Studies of marine sediments show that such abrupt events profoundly affect ocean 
biogeochemistry. Nevertheless, the cascades of changes in oceanic biogeochemistry have not yet been 
examined using comprehensive Earth system models with interactive carbon cycle. The planned work will 
address this knowledge gap. The project will focus on examining the response of the ocean carbon storage 
and biogeochemical cycles to abrupt events in MPI-ESM projections spanning the last deglaciation and future 
climate change scenarios with the goal to improve our quantitative understanding of the observed cascades 
of change.

Successful candidate will be part of a vibrant research group working in Earth system modeling focusing on 
the global carbon cycle. Responsibilities will include:

- performing and analysis of simulations with the Earth system model MPI-ESM, focusing on its 
biogeochemical component HAMOCC

- performing time-slice simulations with MPI-ESM focusing on periods of interest with high climate variability

- analyze abrupt events in transient simulations focusing on cascading effects in ocean biogeochemistry

- contribute to project reporting and coordination

- disseminating the results through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences

Funding is available for 3 years following an approval of a cost neutral extension.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field plus doctorate.

- a PhD in oceanography, geoscience, environmental sciences, or a related field is required for this position

- compelling understanding of ocean biogeochemical dynamics, in particular regarding its role in Earth’s 
climate

- experience with ocean carbon cycle models, skill in model development

- strong programming skills in Fortran, post-processing and visualization software (e.g., python, CDO), as 
well as experience in handling large data sets

- strong communication and organizational skills and an ability to effectively communicate results of scientific 
research to project members and international colleagues.

Please apply via the application portal here:
https://www.uni-hamburg.de/stellenangebote/ausschreibung.html?
jobID=13da546994dd624cdb680d4ab26a89af41aedb89