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 project The Role of the Ocean in Earth System Stability PIK’s Research Department 1 Earth System Analysis, is offering a

Scientific Position (PhD or Postdoctoral level) (m/f/d) (Position number: 04-2026 Researcher Tipping Points)

on the topic of Biodiversity Tipping Points and Ecosystem Resilience, ideally starting on 01.04.2026 .

The position will be filled either at PhD or postdoctoral level, depending on qualifications. Postdoctoral positions are funded for up to 2 years, PhD positions for 3 years. Remuneration is in accordance with the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13 (75% PhD position, 100% postdoctoral level). 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

The project The Role of the Ocean in Earth System Stability investigates how ocean heat and carbon uptake, circulation changes, and biosphere feedbacks may push the Earth system toward critical thresholds. Within this project, work package 1 focuses on the resilience of the marine sinks of heat and carbon, using Earth system and biogeochemical models, observational data, and scenario analysis to identify early-warning signals and tipping points relevant to the Planetary Boundaries framework . Complementing this, work package 2 addresses marine biodiversity, ecosystem health, and biosphere functioning by developing and testing indicators of ecosystem resilience and systemic risk, linking biological change to Earth system stability.

This position is one of several scientific positions within the project and will be embedded in a closely collaborating interdisciplinary team. Please keep your eyes open for related positions advertised in parallel to this one. If you see yourself to be qualified for more than one of them, please resubmit your application for each of the openings separately.

Key responsibilities:

• conduct regional case studies on biodiversity resilience, degradation, and tipping dynamics
• analyse large biodiversity, environmental, and pressure datasets (regional to global scale)
• contribute to the identification of vulnerable ecosystems and potential recovery pathways
• support the development and testing of biodiversity indicators relevant to Earth system stability
• contribute regional insights to project-wide synthesis activities and the Planetary Health Check
• engage with science communication and outreach activities related to biodiversity and ocean resilience
• Postdoctoral level: Provide scientific guidance within work package 2 and potentially co-supervise a PhD student
• PhD level: Develop a focused doctoral project embedded within work package 2

Requirements:

• Master’s degree or PhD in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, marine sciences, or a related field
• Ability to work with complex ecological or environmental datasets
• Experience with data analysis is expected; familiarity with scientific programming environments (e.g. Python, R, or similar) is highly desirable
• Interest in policy-relevant science and sustainability frameworks
• Strong motivation to collaborate across disciplines

PhD level:

• Strong interest in biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and Earth system science
• Experience working with ecological or environmental datasets
• Marine background desirable but not required

Postdoctoral level:

• Experience with regional biodiversity assessments and quantitative analysis
• Ability to link empirical results to broader Earth system or policy-relevant frameworks

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 English
• reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation
• capacity for teamwork

We offer:

• close integration into the Planetary Boundaries Science Lab and opportunities to contribute to high-visibility synthesis products such as the Planetary Health Check
• the opportunity to complete a high-quality dissertation within an excellent, collaborative, and transdisciplinary research environment for PhDs
• a lively community of PhD students on the campus, offering the chance to engage and connect—our PhD Representatives offer information and advice when needed
• the chance to be part of an engaged, interdisciplinary team
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognised research institute on Potsdam's beautiful, historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin
• company KITA/kids day nursery "Geolino” directly in the science park on Telegrafenberg, within walking distance of PIK
• flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours)
• a collective pay scheme and associated benefits, as well as a subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job

PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photos. 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 18.03.2026 directly via our application form below this job advertisement on our website. The application process remains open until the position is filled.

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 Dr. Sabine Mathesius .