Biosphere 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 (PBSI). We are offering a

Biosphere position (m/f/d)
(Position number: 42-2024 Biosphere)

in the field of Earth System science, ideally starting on 01.10.2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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 weekly working time of 40 hours. The position can be filled on a part-time basis. Appointment is conditional on approval by the funding agency.

Background:
PBSI will produce a frequent health check of planet Earth (Planetary Boundary Health Check, PBHC) which will advance the common PB framework and which is planned to become a dashboard style easy to access web application. The PBSI is endorsed by different important international entities and perfectly cross-linked in science, science communication and stakeholders. Besides a strong collaboration with numerous renowned external partners PBSI will directly employ at least 18 scientists at PIK of which 8 will be fully situated in a newly established Planetary Boundary Science Lab and the rest will also be partly associated with other working groups of Research Department 1 “Earth System Analysis”. The successful candidate will be partly with the working group of “Ecosystems in Transition” and will play a crucial role for advancing the Planetary Boundary of “Biosphere Integrity”.

The boundary of Biosphere Integrity stands for the capacity of the biosphere to support and sustain life on Earth. The PBSI wants to advance the science of every Planetary Boundary. Today, we measure Biosphere Integrity with crude indicators such as Human Appropriation of Net Primary Productivity and Genetic diversity. In the future, these control variables should be replaced with state-of-the-art global indicators and insights of different models from external and internal partners. Moreover, the connection of Biosphere Integrity to other PBs will be an essential focus. The PBSI aims for a holistic quantification of the Earth system, hence a next generation PB assessment including modern techniques of numerical simulation modelling and data analysis. 

If this challenge excites you, and you are eager to make a difference, we invite you to join our new team at PIK. Help us refine and advance the understanding of biosphere integrity and contribute to global sustainability efforts.

Key responsibilities
We are seeking a dynamic and motivated global biodiversity scientist with the motivation to learn about planetary boundary science. Your primary focus will be on analysing the interactions between climate, biodiversity, and land-system-change planetary boundaries.

Formalize the PB assessment process by establishing standardized decision procedures, documentation protocols (core data sets, scenarios, time horizons, PB-quantification algorithms etc.) for the biosphere-related boundaries. Collect and re-evaluate biosphere-related available PB data to help create an up-to-date PBScience data lake. Analyse large Earth Observation Data Sets: Utilize pattern recognition and other data-analysis methods (including ML and AI) to examine global data sets covering plant traits, land-cover and biomass changes, tree cover loss, and biodiversity. Collaborate with a team developing a global biodiversity and vegetation model to understand changes in ecosystem function and biogeochemical cycling in connection with plant trait diversity. Employ the newest available data to check the status of the biosphere-related PBs. Refine existing and identify additional control variables to ensure the best possible representation of the PBs.  Assess PBs in light of state-of-the-art modelling results, in particular with regards to interactions between the PBs and the most up-to-date knowledge on tipping points.  Convene expert elicitations on boundary quantification, control variables and data sources in the form of written surveys, one-on-one interviews and in-person consultations, ensuring scientific excellence and the greatest possible buy-in from the scientific community and beyond. Work on synthesizing and compiling the annual PB Health Check report. Present results at academic conferences and publish them in peer-reviewed journals. Requirements

We require a PhD in a relevant subject area (e.g. Geoecology, Environmental or Biological science, or related field), experience in data analysis, remote sensing, and a strong scientific publication record appropriate for the level of experience. Experience in Biosphere Modelling is beneficial.

We expect
a good understanding of the Biosphere including biosphere integrity, biodiversity and ecosystems good programming skills (Python, R, C or similar) the ability to work independently and on your own initiative structured and goal-oriented thinking a good understanding of the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles would be a benefit capacity to familiarize yourself quickly with new topics creativity and openness to new approaches high level of proficiency in the English language 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 capacity for teamwork and organisational talent

We offer
the chance to be part of a creative, interdisciplinary team,  a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognised 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 Deutschland-Ticket. 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.