Research assistant (praedoc) (m/f/d)

Mineral dust is a global player in the earth system and dominant contributor to the global
atmospheric aerosol burden. Although inevitably for understanding the earth system,
numerical simulations of the atmospheric dust cycle show uncertainties. This PhD project
aims at investigating and quantifying the role of desert pavements on the emission and
deposition of mineral dust aerosol. Emission and deposition control the atmospheric dust
concentration, which ultimately determines the magnitude of the dust feedbacks in the Earth
system. It is funded in the framework of the DFG-Project “Desert Pavements: Assessing their
Modulating Role in the Atmospheric Dust Cycle” (PIs: Prof. Schepanski / FU Berlin and Prof.
Brenning / Uni Jena) and offers the opportunity to advance our knowledge of the modulating
role of desert pavements in the atmospheric dust cycle, which ultimately offers the chance to
improve the performance of aerosol models in the southern Hemisphere.

Job description:
The position is available from 1 May 2025 for 3 years and is aimed at future PhD students
who would like to work in their research on the exciting topic of "Dust in the Atmosphere",
linking cutting-edge model development with the study of the role of dust in the Earth system.
The position is based at the Institute of Meteorology in Prof. Schepanski’s working group.
The central research topic of the future position holder is the further development of the
mineral dust module in a global aerosol-atmosphere model as well as the investigation of the
role of desert pavements on the emission and deposition of desert dust aerosol. The
research is of interdisciplinary nature and in collaboration with the work in Prof. Brenning’s
group / Jena.

Requirements:
Successfully completed Master degree in meteorology, geosciences, atmospheric physics,
environmental sciences, physics or a comparable sub-field of physical geosciences.

Desirable:
Programming experience and experience with UNIX/Linux-based computer environments.
Very good written and spoken English skills are also desirable. Interest in interdisciplinary
research.

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the
reference code, no later than February 3rd, 2025 in PDF format (preferably as one
document) to Prof. Dr. Kerstin Schepanski: kerstin.schepanski@fu-berlin.de or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Geowissenschaften
Institut für Meteorologie
Frau Prof. Dr. Kerstin Schepanski
Carl-Heinrich-Becker-Weg 6-10
12165 Berlin (Steglitz)

With an electronic application, you acknowledge that FU Berlin saves and processes your
data. FU Berlin cannot guarantee the security of your personal data if you send your
application over an unencrypted connection.

Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.