2-years Post-Doc on 'Free air CO2 enrichment model-data intercomparison', Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie

  Nitrogen-carbon interactions attenuate the response of terrestrial ecosystems to rising atmospheric CO2 and climate change. Estimates of the strength of these interactions varies strongly between current ecosystem models, leading to considerable uncertainty in projected rates of present and future terrestrial carbon sequestration. This PostDoc project seeks to make use of the detailed ecological observations collected at four long-term Free Air CO2  Enrichment and Open-Top Chamber experiments to evaluate and improve the representation of carbon, nitrogen and water cycle responses to elevated CO2 as simulated by the terrestrial biosphere model O-CN.The position will be in the Terrestrial Biosphere Modelling Group of the Biogeochemical Integration Department at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena, Germany ( https://www.bgcjena.mpg.de/bgi/index.php/Research/GlobalModelling). The successful applicant will join a young and international team in a vibrant research environment. The project is part of a larger international activity (Model-Data Synthesis of Terrestrial Responses to Elevated CO2 ) supported by the US Department of Energy, involving observational and modelling groups in Europe, the US and Australia. We are seeking a highly-motivated and collaborative PostDoc with a PhD in a quantitative science (e.g. geo-ecology, environmental science, biology, applied mathematics, physics, or computer science), experience in ecosystem modelling and scientific programming, as well as an interest in applying their expertise to terrestrial ecology and global change research, and numerical modelling. Detailed knowledge of terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycle processes and their response to elevated CO2 is an asset. The conditions of employment, including upgrades and duration follow the rules of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Sciences and those of the German civil service. The Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially encourages them to apply.

Please send your inquiries and/or applications including a letter of interest, CV, and the names and contact information of two references to Dr. Sönke Zaehle either via email to szaehle@bgcjena.mpg.de, or directly to the institute’s address Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie, Postfach 10 01 64, 07701 Jena, Germany. The position is to be filled as soon as possible. Review of applications will begin on the 15th  of June 2013 and continue until the position is filled.