Student Assistant position RD3 (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.

As part of the Energy Systems group, PIK is offering a

Student Assistant position RD3 (m / f / d)

Position number : 39-2023 SHK Energy systems)

in the field of research support, starting as soon as possible.

The position is funded until July 2024 . An extension is possible if funding is approved. The remuneration is calculated according to the requirements of the TdL.

The current hourly rate for this position is €12.72 (with a bachelor's degree) and €12.00 (without a bachelor's degree).

This is a part-time position with a working time of 10 hours per week. An increase in working hours up to 20 h / week is possible if funding is available.

Your tasks include :

• Writing code and developing software in R and Python for our techno-economic analysis framework and related software tools,
• managing data for our techno-economic database,
• thereby contributing to the method development for our research on the energy transition, energy technologies, renewables, electrification, hydrogen, e-fuels, industry transformation, and global energy trade, and

optionally) reviewing and collecting literature and data on techno-economics of energy technologies and on production patterns and trade of energy-intensive industrial products (primarily steel and chemicals).

You are a bachelor or a master student with the following qualifications :

• studying computer science, programming, physics, maths, engineering, system sciences, economics (preferably with a focus on resource and agricultural economics), environmental sciences, quantitative social sciences, or a related field,
• you have some at least basic but preferably solid programming skills and experience, ideally in Python and / or R (though a general understanding of good programming and code-development practices matters more than knowledge of specific languages),
• you are experienced and interested in collaborative working.

We expect :

• The ability to work independently and on your own initiative,
• a methodical and systematic approach,
• structured and target-oriented thinking,
• ability to quickly familiarize yourself with new topics,
• creativity and openness to new approaches, reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation, and good team-working skills.

We offer :

• The chance to be part of a creative, interdisciplinary team,
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognized research institute on Potsdam's beautiful, historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin,
• flexi-time and mobile working (up to 40% of your hours),
• a collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidised travel card.

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.

Please apply with a motivational letter (

We ask for prompt applications; the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate has been found.