Postdoc Bayesian Phylogenetics Evolution (m/w/d)

Your Tasks A new international Masters of Science in Earth System Dynamics and Evolution will provide training in Earth system science and science diplomacy, with an emphasis on inter- and transdisciplinary research. The program is funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria and is a collaboration between Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), where the program is based, and the University of Bayreuth (UBT).

We are seeking five post docs for up to five years each to support this initiative. Postdocs in the cohort will undertake independent projects in Earth system science and/or science diplomacy in collaboration with a project leader (details below), while also working together on joint teaching initiatives related to the overarching research theme. Postdocs will be mentored and encouraged to pursue their own research ideas. Applicants are expected to apply for research grants, and should show willingness to conduct independent research and pursue a habilitation. A habilitation is an additional degree that can be obtained in Germany, which recognises excellence in research and teaching - it requires engaging in a range of tasks that are relevant to a career in academic research (e.g., publishing, grant writing, teaching, curriculum development, student supervision).

The candidates will teach up to 5 SWS (Semesterwochenstunden), approximately 3-4 contact hours per week during the semester. Candidates will also contribute, in line with career stage and interests, to broader program activities, including student admissions, shared infrastructure initiatives, and networking events.

Your Profile Five projects are available at FAU, each requiring a different skill set, and applicants may select the project that best matches their expertise.

Project 1 - Atmospheric modeling: from paleoclimates to modern climates

Research: The research focus in this project will be on regional, high-resolution climate modeling. The objective will be to extend approaches for the most recent decades (e.g., WRF driven with reanalysis data) to the paleoclimate perspective. By bridging between both time scales, atmospheric model improvement on the one side, and a better interpretation of climate proxies on the other (e.g., tree rings, marine organisms, soils), should be the major motivation. Also, implementation of specific atmospheric processes into the models through recent AI algorithms will be explored in the model development space.

Teaching: The candidate will be responsible for teaching atmosphere-based courses like climate data analysis, the atmosphere in a paleoclimate context, and climate modeling. Classic seminars on atmospheric topics are also possible, and so is the supervision of BSc and MSc theses.

Required skills:

• PhD in Atmospheric Science/Meteorology, Climatology, Geography, Applied Mathematics/Physics or a related field
• Programming skills (Python, Matlab or similar)
• Strong expertise in climate modeling, especially high-resolution regional modeling, in a paleoclimate context
• Interest in Physics-Informed Machine Learning
• Experience with high-performance computing
• Interest for understanding Earth System processes and their complex interactions
  
  Advantageous skills:
• Compatibility with modern climate change questions
• Linkage to cryospheric research
• Experience in teaching
  
  For further information on this sub-project contact: Prof. Dr. Thomas Mölg, Professorship for Climatology, FAU, e-mail:
  
  Project 3 - Geochemical flux exchange between crust and oceans
  
  Research: This project will develop an integrated framework to quantify elemental fluxes associated with seawater interaction in heterogeneous oceanic crust at submarine island arcs. Chemical exchange during mineral dissolution and secondary phase formation exerts a key control on ocean chemistry, yet most existing studies focus on mafic crust, despite the compositional variability from felsic to mafic rocks in arc settings. These environments commonly host hydrothermal systems driven by shallow magmatic activity, which further modify crustal composition and fluid chemistry. We will investigate fluxes of major elements abundant in felsic rocks and seawater, including Si, Mg, Ca, C, and S, by combining elemental concentrations and stable isotope data from altered and unaltered rocks with reaction path and transport modelling. This approach will enable quantification of elemental sources, sinks, and pathways within the ocean-crust system.
  
  Teaching: The candidate will be responsible for supporting training in geochemistry, geochemical modelling, and laboratory and field courses, as well as contributing to the development of a new module in fluid transport modelling techniques.
  
  Required skills:
• PhD in Geochemistry, Geology or a related discipline, with a focus on analytical and modelling approaches
• A strong background and knowledge in fluid-rock interaction processes within the Earth's crust
• Experience in the geochemical and isotope analyses of rocks and minerals (e.g., SIMS, LA-ICP-MS, IRMS, TC/EA, XRF and/or MC-ICP-MS)
  
  Advantageous skills:
• Experience with thermodynamic modelling software is advantageous (e.g., PHREEQC, GEMS, THERMOCALC, PERPLE_X, etc.)
• Programming skills (e.g., R, Python, C++ or Java)
• Teaching experience in both lab and field courses within the broad field of geosciences
  
  For further information on this subproject contact: Prof. Dr. Barbara Kleine-Marshall, Professorship for Geochemistry, FAU, e-mail: .
  
  Project 4 - Modelling alpine hydrology under climate change
  
  Research: This project aims to develop novel modelling approaches that integrate hydrological shifts observed in the Alpine hydrosphere with changes in the atmosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. Building upon results from the SEHAG research unit (), we will investigate evidence of the coupled and intertwined responses of Alpine geosystems to climate change. Since the uncertainties inherent in cascaded modelling pose significant challenges for interdisciplinary integration, we will apply advanced model reduction techniques and surrogate models to accelerate Bayesian parameter inference, enabling the identification of key transitions within Earth systems, specifically focusing on Alpine catchments.
  
  Teaching: The candidate will be responsible for supporting training in hydrological and hydrogeological modelling, water quality, and the development of a new module in Soil Science focusing on the critical zone.
  
  Required skills:
• PhD in Geology, Physics, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Applied Mathematics or a related field
• Programming skills (Python, Matlab or similar)
• Experience with distributed and physically based hydrological models
• Interest in Physics-Informed Machine Learning
• Experience with high performance computing
• Willingness establish a research group focusing on alpine hydrology and to pursue a habilitation
  
  Advantageous skills:
• Background in geomechanics or geotechnics
• Experience in planning and conducting fieldwork in high-alpine environments
  
  For further information on this sub-project contact: Prof. Dr. Gabriele Chiogna, Professorship for Applied Geology and Modelling of Environmental Systems, FAU, phone: -23042, e-mail:
  
  Project 5 - Phylogenetics and Earth system change
  
  Research: This project will develop approaches to combining evidence across life and Earth systems using statistical phylogenetics as a framework. Evidence of long-term evolutionary processes can come from molecular sequence data, morphology, or fossil occurrences. Meanwhile, evidence of other Earth system processes can come from paleoclimate reconstructions or geochemical proxies. The uncertainties associated with divergent data sources are complex and pose challenges for their integration. We will apply new Bayesian phylodynamic models and explore strategies for propagating uncertainties across spheres, with a view to identifying key transitions in Earth systems through empirical case studies.
  
  Teaching: The candidate will be responsible for supporting training in statistics, programming, and the development of a new module in Earth Systems Data Science, together with the Department of Data Science at FAU.
  
  Required skills:
• PhD in Biological, Ecology, Paleontology, Geology or a related discipline, with a focus on computational and analytical approaches
• A strong background in statistics
• Programming skills (R, Python, C++ or Java)
• Experience working with relevant empirical databases (e.g., NCBI, Paleobiology Database)
• Experience with high performance computing
  
  Advantageous skills:
• Working knowledge of geochemistry or geochemical cycles
• Experience with Bayesian statistics, statistical phylogenetics, simulations or modelling uncertainties
  
  For further information on this subproject contact: Prof. Dr. Rachel Warnock, Professorship for Systems Paleobiology, FAU, e-mail:
  
  Project 6 - Science diplomacy for Earth system science
  
  Research: This project will develop a research agenda that conceptualizes science diplomacy as a core competency of Earth system science. The project should investigate how scientific knowledge related to different Earth system spheres circulates across national, institutional . click apply for full job details