Research Associate for the Project “Climate, Climatic Change, and Society” (CLICCS)” N4 – Scale interactions in a warming Arctic § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution: Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Earth System Sciences, Work Group Kutzbach

Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L

Start date: as soon as possible, fixed until 31.08.2029 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline: 2026-07-22

Scope of work: part-time

Weekly hours: 65 % of standard work hours per week

The Cluster of Excellence “Climate, Climatic Change, and Society” (CLICCS) investigates climate dynamics and climate-related social dynamics, as well as the interactions between the two. To this end, we are looking for colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, including the natural sciences as well as the social sciences. We are proud to work together in a truly integrating manner. Our partners, e.g. the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Helmholtz Centre Hereon or the German Climate Computing Centre are also hiring. All jobs:

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.

Doctoral candidates are members of the structured doctoral program of the School of Integrated Climate and Earth System Sciences (SICSS), which provides high-quality, interdisciplinary, and internationally oriented training.

As the region which is experiencing the most rapid warming on Earth, the Arctic is undergoing dramatic transformations, including the thawing of permafrost and sea ice loss. This project aims to deepen our understanding of how small-scale inhomogeneities in surface characteristics and extreme weather events shape large-scale climate dynamics in the Arctic and influence the broader global climate system. Through an integrated approach that brings together climate modeling, field research, laboratory experiments, and observational data, we explore critical interactions that may give rise to nonlinear behavior in Arctic climate processes.

Extreme weather events such as heatwaves and storms and their impact on permafrost stability and stored carbon are a central focus of this research. Field studies in Greenland's tundra, combined with laboratory experiments, will provide insights into how these extreme conditions accelerate permafrost thaw and trigger the release of greenhouse gases. The findings will contribute to more accurate estimates of how such events affect long-term carbon feedback mechanisms in the Arctic.

The selected candidate will investigate the influence of extreme weather events on CO2 flux dynamics in Arctic tundra using eddy covariance land-atmosphere flux data. The selected candidate will conduct and support micrometeorological measurements using an eddy covariance system during expeditions to Disko Island in West-Greenland. Duties will also include the processing and quality control of the eddy covariance data from West Greenland, as well as the compilation of eddy covariance datasets from other Arctic tundra sites for the synthesis of circumpolar CO2 fluxes. A key part of the position involves the in-depth statistical analysis of large circumpolar eddy covariance datasets to identify both short- and long-term impacts of extreme weather events on CO2 fluxes. The candidate will further be expected to synthesize and interpret the results, publish findings in international peer-reviewed journals, and present them at project meetings and international conferences.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

• e.g., climate science, geoecology, geosciences, meteorology, or environmental sciences
• good knowledge of biogeochemical processes in soils
• good knowledge of and practical experience with different methods for measuring greenhouse gas fluxes
• good knowledge of and experience with statistical analyses of empirical biogeochemical datasets, ideally of greenhouse gas fluxes
• good knowledge of scientific programming in MATLAB and Python
• strong command of written and spoken English
• willingness to carry out physically demanding fieldwork

Outstanding candidates will bring a high intrinsic motivation, individual responsibility, creative scientific and solution-oriented thinking, and extensive social and team skills.

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact

Prof. Dr. Lars Kutzbach

Dr. David Holl

Location

Bundesstraße 57
20146 Hamburg

Reference number

185

Application deadline

2026-07-22

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

• cover letter
• CV
• copies of degree certificate(s)

If you experience technical problems, send an email to .

More information on in selection procedures.