Carl Zeiss Research Group Leader (m/f/d) | Knowledge integration for spatio-temporal environmental modelling

The internationally renowned institute, which currently employs around 230 people, will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2022. Jena is known for high-tech industry, internationally renowned research institutions and a modern university. But it also has a beautiful natural setting in the green Saale valley with steep limestone slopes. The city of Jena has an active student scene and a diverse cultural life. We are looking for a Carl Zeiss Research Group Leader (m/f/d) - Knowledge integration for spatio-temporal environmental modelling in full-time, part-time possible, temporary for an initial period of 5 years.
 

Background and position description:

The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry is seeking to fill the position of a Carl Zeiss Research Group Leader in the field of knowledge integration for spatio-temporal environmental modelling as soon as possible. The research group will initially be funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation for at least five years. In addition to the advertised position, the funding includes a research assistant as well as the necessary laboratory equipment, consumables and travel expenses. The research group will be part of the ELLIS Unit Jena for machine learning for the understanding of spatio-temporal earth and environmental systems and will work closely with the Department of Biogeochemical Integration at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry as well as with the participating groups of computer science and geography at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the DLR Institute for Data Science.

The main focus of the research is at the interface between climate/environmental science and machine learning and focuses on the integration of scientific knowledge and its generation and discovery through machine learning.
 

Your tasks:

• Cutting-edge research to integrate theory and empirical knowledge into machine learning approaches to achieve a better understanding of various aspects of spatio-temporal Earth systems, following the emerging paradigm of knowledge-gui machine learning and hybrid modelling
• Establish and strengthen connections with other ELLIS units and existing research initiatives, such as the ERC Synergy project USMILE
• We expect the successful candidate to develop an independent and internationally visible research profile at the ELLIS Unit Jena
• Strengthen and sharpen the research profile of the three participating institutions Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPI), Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU), DLR Institute for Data Science (DLR) in the context of the ELLIS programme
• Engaging in teaching activities and the supervision of doctoral students is possible and welcome
   

Your profile:

• a successfully completed scientific university degree and an outstanding doctoral thesis related to both machine learning/computer science, and geoscience/Earth system science
• Experience in at least one of the following fields: hybrid modelling, causal modeling, spatio-temporal modeling with applications in anomaly detection, early warning, dynamic now- and forecasting, data assimilation
• Outstanding scientific contributions to one of the above-mentioned fields as well as at the interface between computer science and earth system sciences
• An internationally recognised research profile demonstrated by excellent publications and ideally by the independent acquisition of third-party funding
   

Our offer:

Part-time work is possible. If the requirements of the collective agreement are met, the position will be graded according to TVöD Bund in EG 15; in addition, we will provide a pension based on the public service (VBL).

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. It wants to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled persons are expressly encouraged.
 

Your application:

For questions about this position, please contact the Director of the MPI/ELLIS Unit, Prof. Markus Reichstein at reichstein-office@bgc-jena.mpg.de. Have we aroused your interest? Please send us your application with cover letter, CV, research plan as well as names and contact information of two references summarised in a PDF file (max. 10 MB) by e-mail by September 19, 2022, quoting the reference number 35/2022 to bewerbung@bgc-jena.mpg.de or to the

Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie
Personalbüro: Kennwort “Forschungsgruppenleiter”
Hans-Knöll-Straße 10
07745 Jena
Deutschland

We kindly ask you not to use application folders, but to submit copies only, as your documents will be destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations after the application process has been completed. We look forward to receiving your application!