Scientist (f/m/div) Optical Soundings of the Atmosphere

Job advertisement 2025-02

At the Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) in Kühlungsborn / Germany, a full-time position (40 hours / week) in the department “Optical and Rocket Soundings” is available as

Scientist (f/m/div) Optical Soundings of the Atmosphere

The position is initially offered for two years with a start in March 2025 and the option to be made permanent afterwards. The salary is according to class E 13 TV-L. The fixed-term contract is based on § 2 WissZeitVG.

Your tasks:

• You will conduct research in the field of experimental atmospheric physics up to the edge of space (stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere) and lead the development, maintenance, and operation of the world-renowned ALOMAR RMR lidar in northern Norway.
• Utilizing your programming skills, you will drive software development for lidar control, data acquisition, and processing.
• You will contribute to the design and development of novel multi-lidar instruments and explore new observational techniques to address critical scientific challenges in middle atmosphere research.
• Scientific challenges include research on key atmospheric parameters such as temperature, winds, aerosol layers, polar stratospheric clouds, and noctilucent clouds.

Your qualifications / experience:

• a PhD in physics, engineering, or computer science
• knowledge in and experience with experimental working methods (e.g. lidar, spectroscopy, laser physics) and system development
• fundamental programming skills and expertise, e.g. Julia, Python, LabVIEW, C / C++
• willingness to work independently

What we offer:

• engagement in an international work environment and a world-renowned working team
• modern equipment at the forefront of our discipline
• opportunity to pursue independent research and publish in top-tier scientific journals
• attractive working place near the Baltic Sea
• participation in the company pension scheme (VBL)
• employment relationship in accordance with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federal States (TV-L)
• flexible working hours and mobile working within the framework of the applicable regulations

Who we are:

Our mission is to advance the scientific knowledge of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere by developing and exploiting expertise in atmospheric physics, instrumentation, analysis, and modeling to serve emerging societal needs – such as questions regarding climate change. On the regional level, we closely cooperate with the University of Rostock and are an integral part of the teaching program of the Institute of Physics. Further, we are networked with the research community worldwide. As an institute of the Leibniz Association, we distinguish ourselves as a modern and innovative employer that highly values family friendliness, equality of opportunity, and flexibility.

Interested?

Please send your application as one PDF file with complete, informative documents, including

• motivational letter,
• curriculum vitae,
• diploma with indication of final grade,
• copy of certificates, possibly testimonies, and references,

under the indication of the keyword 2025-02 to personal@iap-kborn.de.

The advertisement remains open until a suitable person has been appointed. Unfortunately, application and travel costs cannot be covered by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. By submitting your application, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of the application process.

Equal opportunities:

We pursue a family-friendly personnel policy and strive to increase the proportion of women. Qualified women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. We expressly welcome applications from individuals with disabilities.

Contact:

For further information, please contact Prof. Gerd Baumgarten (baumgarten@iap-kborn.de) or inform yourself under www.iap-kborn.de.