ZEU Colloquium

31/08/2021: Postdoctoral Scientist/Research Assistant (m/f/d)

The Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU) at the Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), Germany, announces an opening in the frame of the research project “CLImate INTelligence: Extreme events detection, attribution and adaptation design using machine learning (CLINT, PI Dr. Elena Xoplaki) funded by the European Union (H2020 programme). The project aims to develop an Artificial Intelligence framework composed of Machine Learning techniques and algorithms to process big climate datasets for improving the detection, causation and attribution of extreme events, including tropical cyclones, heatwaves and warm nights, and extreme droughts, along with compound events and concurrent extremes.

Postdoctoral Scientist/Research Scientist (m/f/d)

full-time, 100%, for 28 months, starting as soon as possible. The salary is determined by payment group E13 according to the collective labor agreement of the State of Hesse (TV-H).

Tasks

In collaboration with the main climate modelling and model development and climate services universities and research institutes in Europe, the successful candidate will work on the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, specifically of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, for the detection, characterization and prediction of climate compound events and concurrent extremes. The AI techniques and ML algorithms will be applied to innovate and enhance existing Climate Services and their impact-based products, and to support EU policies in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. The incumbent will use and innovate complex pan-European process-based mechanistic models of the food systems to characterize, estimate, predict and project impacts driven by extreme events. Furthermore, the successful candidate will work towards the development of the Climate Service Information Systems with integrated ML-algorithms and AI-techniques and this in close collaboration with the project consortium partners. Presentation of the results at conferences and publishing peer-reviewed publications together with participation in the project management, communication, dissemination and coordination with the CLINT consortium and project reporting also belong to the work tasks.

The successful candidate will also work in close collaboration with the Food Security Unit of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. The Postdoctoral Scientist will join an international and interdisciplinary team under the supervision of Dr. Elena Xoplaki working on different aspects of past, present and future climate change, extremes and impacts on different sectors across Europe and the Mediterranean.

Further project information: https://www.uni-giessen.de/zeu/CLINT

About the ZEU: https://www.uni-giessen.de/zeu

Requirement profile

• A PhD degree in mathematics, statistics, physics, earth or agricultural sciences, environmental engineering with interest in climate science and statistical applications
• In-depth experience in handling large data sets (observation data as well as climate model data), statistical modelling (preferably AI/ML experience), experience in working on extremes, preferably also on the development and application of agro-climate services
• Proof of very good programming skills and publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Fluent in both spoken and written English
• Excellent analytical, communication, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Experience in interdisciplinary work is an advantage
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to foster diversity and team spirit
• Willingness to take responsibility and make a significant contribution to a joint project

JLU aims to employ more women in academic research. We therefore particularly encourage female candidates to apply. JLU is regarded as a family-friendly university. Applicants with children are very welcome.

For further information, please contact Dr. Elena Xoplaki (elena.xoplaki@geogr.uni-giessen.de)

Please send an application by e-mail (containing a one page motivation letter, CV, two reference persons, and copies of the Master and PhD diploma) in one single pdf file to elena.xoplaki@geogr.uni-giessen.de not later than October 15, 2021, stating the reference number 459/Z and addressing your application to Dr. Elena Xoplaki, Zentrum für Internationale Entwicklungs- und Umweltforschung (ZEU), Justus Liebig University Giessen. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.

Professional, personal and formal requirements

You should 

• be able to contribute professional know-how in development and environmental research,
• have a good command of English,
• be able to work in a team,
• be able to work full-time at the ZEU (part-time work or a 4-day-week cannot be offered),
• be enrolled as a Master student,
• provide verification that you will be serving an obligatory internship.

If you want to apply, please do so by an informal letter, containing

• information on the requested period of your internship,
• your internship’s focus,
• a short CV,
• verification that your internship is obligatory; to this end, please refer to the relevant part of your study’s/faculty’s examination regulations.