The Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change at the University of Graz offers a
1 year Postdoc position (m/f/d) in
Robust information for climate risks assessments.
We are seeking a highly motivated scientist to work on the statistical postprocessing and analysis of climate projections for climate risk assessments. Preferred starting date is 1 Jan 2025. The postdoc position will be a good starting point for applications for a (potentially forthcoming) senior scientist tenure track position opening end of 2025.
Project Description: The Regional Climate Research Group is involved in various projects on climate impacts such as a climate-resilient energy grid and an assessment of the costs of climate change for Austria. In parallel the research group contributes to the next generation of regional climate projections for Austria, in particular an assessment of projection uncertainties and an intercomparison of different bias adjustment methods. These activities happen against a broader context of international discussion on how to construct user-relevant climate information for climate risk assessments.
Your Role: The work of the postdoc comprises a broad spectrum of tasks, ranging from a selection of driving models for the Austrian climate projections, the comparison of different bias adjustment methods as key input to the projections, and the actual adjustment and stochastic downscaling of climate projections for project partners. The position offers the possibility to interact with stakeholders, and to contribute to activities of the world climate research programmes core project Regional Information for Societies (e.g. as task team member). The postdoc will publish scientific papers and present their work at international conferences.
Your Profile: The researcher working on the position will have a PhD or comparable degree in meteorology/atmospheric sciences or a related subject. Required for this project are good programming skills (R or Python) in linux/unix environments, experience in working with climate data (e.g. NetCDF), and knowledge of statistical modelling and analysis. Experience in bias adjustment, statistical downscaling, climate model evaluation and the analysis of climate projections as well as working with impact modellers are a key advantage.
We expect the candidate to be self-motivated and responsible, and to work in close collaboration with the main supervisor Prof. Douglas Maraun. The candidate should enjoy working in a young, diverse and international research team. We expect the candidate to deepen their knowledge in bias adjustment, climate projection uncertainties, the analysis of big data, and working together with stakeholders to develop context-relevant robust climate information, as well as to proactively train scientific writing and scientific presentations.
What we offer:
Payment will be according to a 100% position of the Austrian Research Fund FWF (66532 EUR per year gross salary). Preferred starting date is January 2025.
The postdoc will join the regional climate research group, a young and dynamic team led by Prof. Douglas Maraun and Prof. Albert Osso working on all aspects of regional climate change. The group maintains an extensive international network, e.g. within WCRP, CORDEX and IPCC, and offers possibilities to engage in international activities.
The position provides funding for visits to international conferences and workshops. Further travel money can be sought from the University’s early career funds. The University of Graz offers a wide range of training opportunities and many possibilities for personal development, in particular for females, and also provides support for young families.
How to apply – Deadline 31 Oct 2024
Please submit your application including the reference Climate Risk and all application documents as a single pdf until 31 Oct 2024 to Sabine Tschürtz. Interviews will be held in the first week of November. Applications after the deadline may be considered until the position is filled.
The University of Graz strives to increase the proportion of women in particular in management and faculty positions and therefore encourages qualified women to apply. In the event of underrepresentation, women with equal qualifications are generally given priority for admission. We welcome applications from persons with disabilities who meet the requirements of the
advertised position.
Application Documents:
1. a motivation letter,
2. a CV including information on previous studies, work experience and publications,
3. names of two previous supervisors to possibly provide a letter of recommendation.
For informal inquiries please contact Douglas Maraun.
Wegener Center, the University and the City of Graz
The Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change is an interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Graz. It is a core institute of the new Field of Excellence “Climate Change Graz” and brings together four research groups and about 60 scientists from climate physics, meteorology, economics and social science.
Graz is a laid back city of 300,000 people in the southern Alpine foothills, just a short drive from skiing resorts and hiking treks, and a three hours drive from the Adriatic sea. The medieval, renaissance and baroque old town is UNESCO World heritage, and Graz is a UNESCO city of design. The city was European Capital of Culture 2003 and hosts an Opera, theatres, various museums and many festivals such as the Austrian film festival, the mountain film festival and several music festivals. The people from Graz enjoy good food and the wine from the rolling vineyards in "Styrian Tuscany" south of the city.
Links: Regional Climate Research Group | Douglas Maraun | Graz