Phd student (m/f/d) in the area of Uncertainty Quantification for biogeochemical

Earth system models involve uncertainties, for example in their initial states, parameters, or the process description. Quantifying and reducing the uncertainties is an important task to improve model predictions. The models simulate different parts of the Earth system. Here the focus is on biogeochemistry, i.e. nutrients and plankton, in the ocean. We offer a PhD position at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz-Center for Polar and Marine Research in the research group Data Assimilation of the Computing Center to assess the uncertainty of parameters that control the behavior of an ocean-biogeochemical model and to obtain improved parameters or parameterizations that reduce the uncertainty of the model. This will be achieved by applying ensemble methods from data assimilation.

The PhD project is funded by the Helmholtz-Association under the project ‘Uncertainty Quantification – From Data to Reliable Knowledge’. The project provides excellent possibilities for interdisciplinary work with partners from different Research Centers of the Helmholtz-Association working e.g. in Environmental science, Information Science, Energy, Health, or Materials.

Tasks

• Use the biogeochemical model REcoM2 to assess the uncertainty of the model fields and the parameters controlling model processes using sensitivity studies and ensemble simulations.
• Develop enhanced ensemble data assimilation approaches to obtain improved parameters and possible new parameterizations. Assess their influence on the uncertainty.
• Write scientific publications
• Participate in project meetings and workshops

Requirements

• Masters degree in mathematics, physics, computer science, oceanography, meteorology, environmental or geosciences
• Very good language skills in English

Additional advantageous knowledge and skills

The PhD project involves programming tasks, the use of the complex biogeochemical model in combination with an ocean model, and the mathematical analysis of the modeling results. Advantageous are hence

• Programming experience, e.g. Fortran, C, C++
• Knowledge in using Unix/Linux computers
• Knowledge about environmental models, preferable ocean and ocean-biogeochemistry
• Basic knowledge in data assimilation methodology

Further Information

For further information please contact
Dr. Lars Nerger
(
, +49(471)4831-1558).
The position is limited to 3 years and is advertises subject to availability of funding. The salary will be paid in accordance with the German Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes (TVöD Bund), up to salary level

13 (66%).
The place of employment will be
Bremerhaven.

This characterizes us

• our scientific success - excellent research.
• collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary.
• opportunities to develop – on the job, aiming at other positions and beyond AWI.
• a culture of reconciling work and family – audited, and even more than that.
• our outstanding research infrastructure – ships, stations, aircraft, laboratories and more.
• an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world.
• having an influence – fundamental research with social and political relevance
• flat hierarchies – freedom and responsibility.
• exciting topics – also in technology, administration and infrastructure.

Equal opportunities for women and men are an integral part of our personnel policy. Therefore, we encourage women to apply.
As Ph.D. student at AWI you will be member of the Helmholtz Graduate School for Polar and Marine Research ‘POLMAR’ (http://polmar.awi.de) or another graduate school.

Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present. The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility we have been awarded the certificate “Career and Family”.

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