Reference: 371_25_ES_CVC_R2
Job title: Postdoctoral researcher position on land surface and vegetation modelling (R2)
About BSC
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center – Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS) is the leading supercomputing center in Spain. It houses MareNostrum, one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, was a founding and hosting member of the former European HPC infrastructure PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe), and is now hosting entity for EuroHPC JU, the Joint Undertaking that leads large-scale investments and HPC provision in Europe. The mission of BSC is to research, develop and manage information technologies in order to facilitate scientific progress. BSC combines HPC service provision and R&D into both computer and computational science (life, earth and engineering sciences) under one roof, and currently has over 1000 staff from 60 countries.
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We are particularly interested for this role in the strengths and lived experiences of women and underrepresented groups to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights in science and IT research. In instances of equal merit, the incorporation of the under-represented sex will be favoured.
We promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, fostering an environment where each and every one of us is appreciated for who we are, regardless of our differences.
If you consider that you do not meet all the requirements, we encourage you to continue applying for the job offer. We value diversity of experiences and skills, and you could bring unique perspectives to our team.
Context And Mission
We are looking for a motivated land surface modeller to contribute to the development of data-driven representations of vegetation dynamics and land carbon cycle processes in the EC-Earth4 Earth System Model as well as the IFS-NEMO Digital Twin of the Earth System developed in Destination Earth. The offered position will primarily contribute to the Horizon Europe projects TerraDT (https://terradt.eu/) and CONCERTO (https://projectconcerto.eu/). The TerraDT project aims to include novel processes into the cutting-edge Digital Twins of the Earth System, such as time-varying land cover and LAI (Leaf Area Index) and interactive aerosols with interactive dust emissions. The CONCERTO project aims to advance the understanding and modeling of carbon cycle processes within Earth System Models such as EC-Earth4.
The successful applicant will primarily work with ecLand, the land surface model within EC-Earth4 and IFS-NEMO. Firstly, the candidate will coordinate the implementation of the land-only version of ecLand in EC-Earth4 and IFS-NEMO and the incorporation and evaluation of time-varying land cover and LAI datasets in those models. Secondly, the candidate will assist in the integration of a Machine Learning (ML)-based model for changes in land cover and LAI into the IFS-NEMO model. Thirdly, the candidate will improve the representation of land carbon fluxes in ecLand within EC-Earth4 by using process-based and data-driven methods. The candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the next-generation climate and carbon-cycle prediction system of the BSC, using EC-Earth4 coupled to the LPJ-GUESS dynamic global vegetation model.
This position is hosted in the Climate Variability and Change (CVC) Group within BSC’s Earth Science Department. The CVC Group undertakes fundamental research to (1) understand climate variability and change, including for climate extremes, (2) investigate global biogeochemical dynamics, effectiveness and impacts of carbon removal technologies to mitigate climate change, (3) develop new Earth System modeling capabilities, and (4) improve our ability to forecast the climate variations from one month to multiple decades into the future, both at global and regional scales.
Key Duties
Contribute to the development and evaluation of a number of land surface and land carbon processes ecLand
Coordinate the implementation of the land-only version of ecLand
Contribute to the integration of a ML-based model for changes in land cover and LAI within IFS-NEMO
Improve the representation of land carbon fluxes in ecLand within EC-Earth4
Lead the preparation of scientific publications, grants and project reports, and present the research at scientific workshops and conferences
Closely collaborate with scientists within the Climate Variability and Change Group and other groups of the Earth Sciences Department
Requirements
Education
PhD in ecology, forestry, atmospheric or climate science, or a related discipline
Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience
Experience in working with land surface models and/or Dynamic Global Vegetation Models
Experience with ecLand/HTESSEL and LPJ-GUESS is highly valued
A demonstrated ability to analyse climate and vegetation data
Proven ability to publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience
Knowledge of version control systems (git, svn, cvs…)
Interest in tutoring and/or advising master and PhD students
Previous postdoctoral experience will be valued
Competences
Interest and capacity in participating in the preparation of research proposals
Fluency in spoken and written English, while fluency in other European languages will be also valued
Highly collaborative spirit and ability to work independently and as part of a large, strongly-coordinated team and to continuously share both knowledge and tools
Conditions
The position will be located at BSC within the Earth Sciences Department
We offer a full-time contract (37.5h/week), a good working environment, a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, flexible working hours, extensive training plan, restaurant tickets, private health insurance, support to the relocation procedures
Duration: Open-ended contract due to technical and scientific activities linked to the project and budget duration
Holidays: 23 paid vacation days plus 24th and 31st of December per our collective agreement
Salary: we offer a competitive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate and according to the cost of living in Barcelona
Starting date: Sept 1
Applications procedure and process
All applications must be submitted via the BSC website and contain:
A full CV in English including contact details
A cover/motivation letter with a statement of interest in English, clearly specifying for which specific area and topics the applicant wishes to be considered. Additionally, two references for further contacts must be included. Applications without this document will not be considered.
Development of the recruitment process
The selection will be carried out through a competitive examination system (“Concurso-Oposición”). The recruitment process consists of two phases:
Curriculum Analysis: Evaluation of previous experience and/or scientific history, degree, training, and other professional information relevant to the position. – 40 points
Interview phase: The highest-rated candidates at the curriculum level will be invited to the interview phase, conducted by the corresponding department and Human Resources. In this phase, technical competencies, knowledge, skills, and professional experience related to the position, as well as the required personal competencies, will be evaluated. – 60 points. A minimum of 30 points out of 60 must be obtained to be eligible for the position.
The recruitment panel will be composed of at least three people, ensuring at least 25% representation of women.
In accordance with OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for each vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will begin the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. At a minimum, a personality questionnaire as well as a technical exercise will be conducted during the process.
The panel will make a final decision, and all individuals who participated in the interview phase will receive feedback with details on the acceptance or rejection of their profile.
At BSC, we seek continuous improvement in our recruitment processes. For any suggestions or comments/complaints about our recruitment processes, please contact recruitment@bsc.es.
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Deadline
The vacancy will remain open until a suitable candidate has been hired. Applications will be regularly reviewed and potential candidates will be contacted.
OTM-R principles for selection processes
BSC-CNS is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment principles (OTM-R). This is applied for any potential candidate in all our processes, for example by creating gender-balanced recruitment panels and recognizing career breaks etc.
BSC-CNS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable state or local law.
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