Research Associate for the Project “PeTCaT – Rapid Permafrost Thaw Carbon Trajectories” about land surface modeling § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Research Associate for the Project “PeTCaT – Rapid Permafrost Thaw Carbon Trajectories” about land surface modeling § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Earth System Sciences, Institute of Soil Science

Salary level

Start date 01.05.2026 (negotiable), fixed for a period of three years (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline 28.02.2026

Scope of work full-time position suitable for part-time

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities.

We are looking for a PostDoc working in the project “PeTCaT – Rapid Permafrost Thaw Carbon Trajectories”, a large, international consortium project funded by Schmidt Sciences. The PostDoc position will be part of the working group “Dynamics of Soil Processes” at the University of Hamburg. PeTCaT aims at closing key knowledge gaps and at reducing uncertainties in arctic components of the carbon cycle. PeTCaT will quantify and project the development of rapid thaw processes on a panarctic scale and address their impact on greenhouse gas production and release. The project aims at understanding permafrost vulnerability and carbon budgets at a global scale. The work will be conducted in close cooperation with the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Potsdam, and international project partners in Canada, USA, Sweden and the Netherlands. At the University of Hamburg, the PostDoc will work in a team consisting of senior scientists, PostDocs, PhD students and technicians.

The research associate will contribute to work package 6 “Modeling of Carbon-Climate Feedback”. The PostDoc will join a group of ICON-Land developers and will concentrate on modeling rapid thaw processes, such as retrogressive thaw slumps in permafrost-affected ecosystems.

The research associate is expected to collaborate closely with team members and project partners. Scientific results have to be presented in scientific meetings and conferences as well as through publications in scientific journals. We expect the candidate to be able to independently design scientific experiments. The PostDoc may also be involved in student supervision if desired. Applicants must have very good English language skills in speaking and writing.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field, plus doctorate.

We seek enthusiastic applicants with a PhD in a relevant field of science and expertise in :

• biogeochemical processes in high-latitude ecosystems
• dynamic modelling of terrestrial ecosystems

We offer

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.