Context And Mission
This position is hosted by 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.
The successful applicant will be responsible for a process-based evaluation of vegetation dynamics and carbon fluxes in observations and Earth System Models (ESMs), with a focus on EC-Earth3-CC, a state-of-the-art ESM developed at the BSC. The assessment will be based on the analyses of extensive observational data sets, dedicated historical simulations and near-term predictions performed by the CVC group. The main objective is to assess the efficacy of alternative Land-based Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies based on dedicated simulation experiments. The applicant will also quantify the contribution of vegetation and land-use change to atmospheric CO2 variability and its predictability. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to scientific planning and participate in the development of the next generation of the EC-Earth ESM (version 4), contributing to the next phase of the IPCC CMIP exercise.
The research position contributes to the European projects LANDMARC (https://www.landmarc2020.eu/), RESCUE (https://rescue-climate.eu/), OptimESM (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101081193), and the Spanish national project CDRESM. LANDMARC explores the potentials for land-based climate change mitigation, the RESCUE project aims to improve knowledge and understanding in climate and Earth System responses to climate neutrality and net negative emissions, OptimESM will develop a new generation of ESMs and CDRESM aims to implement land and ocean-based negative emission technologies in the EC-Earth3-CC model.
Key Duties
Analyze observational data sets and model simulation outputs to assess vegetation and land-use change components of the global carbon cycle
Analyze projections and near-term predictions experiments assessing Land-based CDR technologies in state-of-the-art ESMs
Lead the preparation of scientific publications and funding applications
Closely collaborate with scientists within the Climate Variability and Change Group and other groups of the Earth Sciences Department
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: November 2023