Job description
The Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE) is part of the CLIMPEAT ERC Synergy project funded by the European Commission. We are looking for a post-doctoral fellow for modelling the response of greenhouse gas fluxes at a large field experiment where we will thaw permafrost peatlands in northern Finland
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE)
Is a world-class research laboratory established and a collaboration between CEA, CNRS and the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin (UVSQ) https://www.lsce.ipsl.fr. It is part of the Institute Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL). LSCE hosts approximately 300 researchers, engineers and administrative staff including many PhD and master’s students. This project will provide the employee with the opportunity to work directly on advanced methods with researchers from the LSCE and other institutions. We offer a stimulating and friendly environment in a diverse and international institution with research and education at a very high level.
Project description
Northern peatlands store large amounts of carbon and have been projected to shift from a net sink of greenhouse gases to a net source under global warming. As a Postdoctoral Fellow in this project you will work with the ORCHIDEE PEAT land surface model to predict the response of northern peat to climate change including abrupt changes and thermokarst disturbances. The research contributes to the Northern Peatlands in the face of climate warming and abrupt changes (CLIMPEAT) ERC Synergy project funded by the European Research Council. You will work in a dynamic international research environment with many possibilities for international collaboration and exchange. The work may include fieldwork in remote permafrost regions.
Main responsibilities
Develop and calibrate the ORCHIDEE PEAT1,2 model developed at LSCE with international partners and dedicated to the biogeochemistry of peatlands, In order to simulate the observational results of the CLIMPEAT large field experiment where it is planned planned to thaw 1 ha of palsa mires in northern Finland, and measure all greenhouse gas fluxes and lateral flows of carbon in streams and ponds. Work will include setting up a high resolution model configuration, working on site micro-topography effects and calibrating the model parameters with data assimilation / parameters inversion schemes against field data. It also includes the development of a near real time forecast system branched on ECMWF weather forecasts to predict the future state of the field site and compare predictions against field data.
Qualification Requirements
In order to qualify for a Postdoctoral position, applicants are required to hold a doctoral degree. The degree must have been completed no later than when the employment decision is made.
Assessment criteria
- Programming skills, preferably in Python, Fortran
- Understanding and experience of ecosystem models and earth system models
- Development of scripts for processing of large amounts of geographical data
- Autonomy, ability to work in a team and time management skills.
- Experienced in multidisciplinary team-based activities with the ability to effectively communicate
Contract duration
24 months with a possible extension
Starting date
The position is available until July 10 2026 and will remain open until filled. The expected start of the position is October 2026.
Salary
Competitive salary, full social & health benefits, commensurate with work experience.
How to apply
Applicants should submit a complete application package by email to the contacts below. The application package should include (1) a curriculum vitae including e.g. important recent publications / projects, (2) statement of motivation (3) answers to the selection criteria above (4) names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references.
Contacts
1. Qiu, C., Zhu, D., Ciais, P., Guenet, B., Krinner, G., Peng, S., Aurela, M., Bernhofer, C., Brümmer, C., Bret-Harte, S., et al. (2018). ORCHIDEE-PEAT (revision 4596), a model for northern peatland CO2, water, and energy fluxes on daily to annual scales. Geosci. Model Dev. 11, 497–519.
2. Qiu, C., Zhu, D., Ciais, P., Guenet, B., Peng, S., Krinner, G., Tootchi, A., Ducharne, A., and Hastie, A. (2019). Modelling northern peatland area and carbon dynamics since the Holocene with the ORCHIDEE-PEAT land surface model (SVN r5488). Geosci. Model Dev. 12, 2961–2982.
3. Qiu, C., Ciais, P., Zhu, D., Guenet, B., Peng, S., Petrescu, A.M.R., Lauerwald, R., Makowski, D., Gallego-Sala, A. V., Charman, D.J., et al. (2021). Large historical carbon emissions from cultivated northern peatlands. Sci. Adv. 7, eabf1332.