Météorologue/Météorologiste

The Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS), a scientific organizational entity of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, invites applications for a PhD Position (75%), starting August 1st, 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter), as part of the "Helmholtz Institute for Climate Service Science" (HICSS) - a cooperation between GERICS and the University of Hamburg. The position is limited to 3 years and is intended to complete with a PhD. The place of employment is Hamburg.

GERICS develops science-based prototype products and services in support to government, administration and business in their efforts to adapt to climate change. It builds up a national and international network structure in order to integrate existing competences and knowledge, and to link various actors within the complex area of climate change. As a PhD candidate, you will be part of a research group at GERICS in collaboration with the Meteorological Institute of the University of Hamburg. The goal of the project is to advance the understanding of large-scale irrigation-atmosphere interactions. You will use state-of-the-art global satellite remote-sensing data to analyse the impact of irrigation on cloud and rain formation. This will assist irrigation management and promote improved representation of irrigation processes in weather and climate models. Satellite data will be used to obtain a more accurate temporal mapping of irrigation activities. This enhanced mapping is then used for the analysis of cloud cover patterns and precipitation changes triggered by irrigated areas.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy.

Your tasks

• identify relevant satellite datasets of irrigated areas, as well as of hydrometeorological, land surface and vegetation variables
• apply modern statistical methods on these datasets to detect the timing of irrigation
• develop detection algorithms to identify signals in cloud and precipitation properties during periods of irrigation activities
• analyse interactions between irrigation, clouds, and precipitation considering differences in meteorological conditions, climate characteristics, topography, and land cover
• representation of HICSS at scientific and societal relevant conferences, workshops, and meetings; publication of findings in international peer-reviewed research journals

Your profile

• a university degree in meteorology, physics, or other related disciplines in natural sciences or earth sciences is essential
• experience in one or more of the following topics is beneficial: land - atmosphere exchange, clouds and precipitation, handling and analyzing satellite data or large gridded data sets
• experience in Python or similar programming languages, experience in Linux/Unix computer environments, and experience in statistical analysis and visualization
• very good written and oral communication skills in English. Willingness to publish the work in peer-reviewed scientific journals and to present the work at scientific and societal relevant conferences, workshops, and meetings
• willingness to engage in mandatory and voluntary PhD activities at the University of Hamburg
• willingness to work and engage in an international and interdisciplinary team at the Climate Service Center Germany and the collaborating research group at the University of Hamburg
• interest beyond the pure scientific analysis of data and processes is expected as the focus of GERICS is on the provision of decision-making knowledge

Informal enquiries can be directed to Peter Greve (peter.greve@hereon.de) and Felix Ament (felix.ament@uni-hamburg.de).

We offer you

• an exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• you will benefit from comprehensive academic training by joining the Graduate School of Integrated Climate and Earth System Sciences (SICCS)
• social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to pay group 13 (according to EntgO Bund)
• an excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
• very good compatibility private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work
• PhD Buddy Program
• free assistance program for employees (EAP)
• corporate Benefits
• office location in the heart of the city of Hamburg in the historic Chilehaus

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

Interested?

Then we are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application documents (cover letter, CV, transcripts, certificates etc.) indicating the reference number code no. 2025/KG 1 until 02.06.2025.

Nos offres d'emploi s'adressent toujours à toutes les personnes capables de travailler, quels que soient leur âge, leur sexe, leur origine, leur orientation sexuelle, leur handicap, leur religion et leur idéologie, etc. Les candidats sont exclusivement sélectionnés sur la base de leurs qualifications. Les erreurs dans les informations données et l'orthographe sont réservées.