(Senior) Climate Scientist (f/m/d)
Job Description
We are currently seeking a (Senior) Climate Scientist* for our Climate Policy Team in our Headquarters in Berlin.
You will work on evaluating emissions scenarios and other lines of evidence, using reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulator tools and methods, in particular MAGICC and FaIR, to produce probabilistic assessments of global climate-system outcomes (e.g., temperature, rate of warming, GHG concentration, radiative forcing and related indicators).
This work will be used as a critical part of our Global Pathways Group assessing the strategic mitigation implications of these outcomes for different sectors and countries.
You will use this work to evaluate mitigation options and scenarios against the objective of limiting peak 21st century warming as close as possible to 1.5°C, reducing both the magnitude and duration of any overshoot of 1.5°C, bringing greenhouse gas emissions down to below zero within the second half of the century.
The position involves providing scientific assessments of the Climatic benefits and/or consequences of fossil‑fuel phase‑out scenarios, methane mitigation, scenarios of (co-emitted) air pollutants, and other mitigation options for achieving the temperature goal and emissions goal of the Paris agreement.
This role requires a solid understanding of climate physics modeling and a strong interest in understanding and collaborating on policy analysis.
Your work will be central to several flagship projects, such as the Climate Action Tracker and National Pathways Explorer. It will also contribute to the organization's broader work on 1.5°C overshoot, informing international climate negotiations and national strategies.
Your Responsibilities
Within our Global Pathways Group in the Climate Policy Team, you will independently lead on
You will ideally have the following qualifications and skills:
A job with purpose. With us you will work in a team of highly engaged people and with your skills you can make a positive contribution to our work in the field of climate change. We are a diverse and inclusive team and welcome your application regardless of your gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect that makes you unique. We are working in a positive and inspiring working atmosphere with an international team. Our Berlin office is located near Moritz Platz in the heart of the lively Kreuzberg, surrounded by a dynamic startup scene. For the time being, we can offer a two-year contract. There is a prospect of extension, and we are interested in long-term cooperation. We will pay for your public transport ticket to Berlin and offer a company pension plan.
Conditions
Starting date: As soon as possible
Location: Berlin, Germany
Terms: We are looking for a long-term collaboration. We can offer a fixed-term contract for 1 year, with the perspective of extension based on performance and funding.
Please apply with your CV, cover letter and a list of three references in PDF format exclusively using the application form at the earliest. Please indicate in your cover letter your earliest start date and your salary expectations.
Applications by email or by post can unfortunately not be processed. We encourage you to apply using the application form.
About Us
Climate Analytics is a global climate science and policy institute established in 2008 that delivers cutting-edge science, analysis and support to accelerate climate action and keep global warming below 1.5°C. Our international team is composed of roughly 140 staff. Half are based at our headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and the remainder work out of our five regional offices in Africa, Australia & Pacific, the Caribbean, South Asia and North America. Click here to find out more.
We are currently seeking a (Senior) Climate Scientist* for our Climate Policy Team in our Headquarters in Berlin.
You will work on evaluating emissions scenarios and other lines of evidence, using reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulator tools and methods, in particular MAGICC and FaIR, to produce probabilistic assessments of global climate-system outcomes (e.g., temperature, rate of warming, GHG concentration, radiative forcing and related indicators).
This work will be used as a critical part of our Global Pathways Group assessing the strategic mitigation implications of these outcomes for different sectors and countries.
You will use this work to evaluate mitigation options and scenarios against the objective of limiting peak 21st century warming as close as possible to 1.5°C, reducing both the magnitude and duration of any overshoot of 1.5°C, bringing greenhouse gas emissions down to below zero within the second half of the century.
The position involves providing scientific assessments of the Climatic benefits and/or consequences of fossil‑fuel phase‑out scenarios, methane mitigation, scenarios of (co-emitted) air pollutants, and other mitigation options for achieving the temperature goal and emissions goal of the Paris agreement.
This role requires a solid understanding of climate physics modeling and a strong interest in understanding and collaborating on policy analysis.
Your work will be central to several flagship projects, such as the Climate Action Tracker and National Pathways Explorer. It will also contribute to the organization's broader work on 1.5°C overshoot, informing international climate negotiations and national strategies.
Your Responsibilities
Within our Global Pathways Group in the Climate Policy Team, you will independently lead on
- Developing and maintaining existing analytical pipelines to translate emissions and scenario inputs into physical climate indicators using reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulators (e.g., FaIR/MAGICC), including the probabilistic analysis of pathway ensembles, the physics of greenhouse gases and pollutants, and uncertainty quantification.
- Developing and maintaining the Climate Action Tracker global aggregation and pathway extension system for emission gap and global warming assessments.
- Developing scientific tools based on the reduced-complexity models and model emulators to assess emission pathways and mitigation options for all greenhouse gases and forcing agents in reducing the magnitude, likelihood and duration of the overshoot of 1.5°C and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to below zero within the second half of the century.
- Maintaining state of the art historical data and climate system calibrations for reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulators used by Climate Analytics, and associated methods for analyzing emission pathways.
- Keeping track of developments in, and application of, reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulators, including in the scientific literature and in the context of IPCC AR7 and UNEP Emissions Gap Reports to maintain state-of-the-art capacity.
- Using these models, emulators and other lines of evidence, helping develop and communicate global and national benchmarks (e.g., temperature outcomes, GHG concentrations, radiative forcing trajectories, carbon budgets) for country and sector decarbonization, in line with the Paris Agreement’s long term temperature goal.
- Maintaining and expanding partnerships with groups that develop reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulators, and support the CPT IAM modeling lead in their work and partnerships with Integrated Assessment Modeling groups.
- Coordinating with project partners and relevant stakeholders – both internally and externally and maintaining relationships with collaborators.
- Ensuring scientific integrity of your work and the work of others.
- Contributing to scientific articles on the topic.
- Representing Climate Analytics and project teams in meetings and conferences and disseminating project results.
- Contributing to and leading the development and acquisition of new projects.
You will ideally have the following qualifications and skills:
- Hold a relevant PhD/DPhil with post‑qualification research experience* in climate/atmospheric/earth-system science, or a closely related field.
- Working knowledge of reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulators, temperature assessment methodologies and climate modelling for deep mitigation pathways at the global level.
- It would be an advantage to have expertise/knowledge in:
- Greenhouse-gas cycles and/or atmospheric chemistry relationships encoded in reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulators, to evaluate the effect of different scenarios for air-pollutant changes and/or reductions on emissions and their global warming outcomes
- Radiative forcing assessments
- Detection and attribution studies using reduced-complexity climate models and climate-model emulators
- A minimum of 6 (4)* years of relevant work experience in physical climate science, emulation and scenario assessment.
- Experience in project management and coordination and managing teams.
- Proven and strong programming skills in Python or closely related language (MatLab).
- Experience in working in collaborative coding environments with multiple team members using version control (git) and unit testing.
- An interest in understanding and addressing climate-change mitigation at national to international levels, and in working for impact.
- Excellent English writing and verbal skills.
- A well‑developed sense for teamwork and ability to interact with a diverse array of people.
A job with purpose. With us you will work in a team of highly engaged people and with your skills you can make a positive contribution to our work in the field of climate change. We are a diverse and inclusive team and welcome your application regardless of your gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect that makes you unique. We are working in a positive and inspiring working atmosphere with an international team. Our Berlin office is located near Moritz Platz in the heart of the lively Kreuzberg, surrounded by a dynamic startup scene. For the time being, we can offer a two-year contract. There is a prospect of extension, and we are interested in long-term cooperation. We will pay for your public transport ticket to Berlin and offer a company pension plan.
Conditions
- The seniority level will be determined based on the years of experience:
- 6-7 years work experience (after Masters degree) = Senior Climate Scientist (preferred)
- 4-5 years work experience (after Masters degree) = Climate Scientist
Starting date: As soon as possible
Location: Berlin, Germany
Terms: We are looking for a long-term collaboration. We can offer a fixed-term contract for 1 year, with the perspective of extension based on performance and funding.
Please apply with your CV, cover letter and a list of three references in PDF format exclusively using the application form at the earliest. Please indicate in your cover letter your earliest start date and your salary expectations.
Applications by email or by post can unfortunately not be processed. We encourage you to apply using the application form.
About Us
Climate Analytics is a global climate science and policy institute established in 2008 that delivers cutting-edge science, analysis and support to accelerate climate action and keep global warming below 1.5°C. Our international team is composed of roughly 140 staff. Half are based at our headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and the remainder work out of our five regional offices in Africa, Australia & Pacific, the Caribbean, South Asia and North America. Click here to find out more.