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.
For the Inter-Sectoral Impact Attribution and Future Risks group, PIK is offering a
Postdoctoral position (m/f/d)
(Position number: 28-2026 Postdoc Flood Attribution)
in the field of flood impact attribution, starting on 01.12.2026.
The position is funded for 2 years. Remuneration is in accordance with the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13 This is a full-time position with a working time of 40 hours per week. The position can be filled on a part-time basis.
Background:
Our working group investigates how climate change and socioeconomic conditions shape extreme weather impacts. We host global data from the Intersectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP), providing multi-sector impact indicators consistent with CMIP simulations. Through the projects RAWCLIC and FUTURA, we aim to improve flood risk assessment and attribution by separating socioeconomic drivers from climatic ones. Current approaches are limited by insufficient knowledge of flood protection and changing vulnerabilities - driven by urbanization, adaptation, and economic development - which mask the specific role of climate change. To resolve this, we use simulated flood indicators, impact records, and physical hazard observations to assess past adaptation, vulnerability shifts, and protection levels.
Key responsibilities:
- Flood damage attribution using latest hydrological simulations generated within the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project ISIMIP in combination with empirical damage modelling approaches
- Improvement of our understanding of the effectiveness of historical adaptation efforts including the development of a global database for protection levels
- Condensation of historical discharge time series, flooded areas, flood impacts into a common event database
- Support the integration of protection level estimates in global flood models (fluvial, coastal flooding) and global extreme event projections
- Publication of results in scientific journals
Requirements:
- A PhD in math, physics, geoscience, environmental and/or ecological sciences or related fields
- Ability to analyse large data sets, incl. empirical, remote-sensing and simulated model data
- Knowledge in programming languages preferably python (R or similar)
- Experience with high-performance computing and bash scripting
- Skills in remote-sensing (SAR, optical sensors, LiDAR) are an advantage
- Willingness to travel to scientific conferences and workshops and visits to cooperation partners
- Proven track record documented by relevant publications in peer-reviewed journals
We expect:
- The ability to work independently and on your own initiative
- A methodical and systematic approach
- Structured and goal-oriented thinking
- Capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics
- Creativity and openness to new approaches
- A high level of competence in oral and written German and English
- Reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation
- Capacity for teamwork
We offer:
- Creative Collaboration: Be part of an engaged, dynamic interdisciplinary team and the global ISIMIP climate impact modeling community.
- Thriving Postdoc Network: Join a dynamic community of young researchers on campus, offering great opportunities to connect, collaborate, and access tailored advice from our Career Center.
- Engagement Opportunities: Connect directly with stakeholders and provide high-level policy advice, turning your research into actionable change.
- A Beautiful Setting: Work in a stimulating environment on Potsdam’s stunning, historic Telegrafenberg campus, just a short commute from Berlin.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: Benefit from the company daycare center “Geolino,” located within walking distance of PIK in the Telegrafenberg science park
- Flexible Work Environment: Enjoy flexible hours and the option for mobile working (up to 50% of your time)
- Networking Potential: Collaborate with PIK’s extensive national and international network of leading climate and economic research institutes
- Competitive Compensation: Receive a collective pay scheme and associated benefits, including annual bonus, a subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job
- Paid vacation: 30 days of paid vacation and time off on 24th and 31st December
- Free charging: opportunity to charge e-bikes for free on Telegrafenberg campus
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 by 09.09.2026 directly via our application form below this job advertisement on our website.
If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. If you do not yet have a transcript evaluation, please note that you may have to request one if your application is successful. For further information, please visit the website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html
For further information or to discuss the position please contact Inga Sauer.
