PhD position at the Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling

The International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling (IMPRS-ESM), located in Hamburg, Germany, offers fellowships to outstanding students interested in interdisciplinary climate research.

Our doctoral candidates contribute to the understanding of the Earth system through the application, evaluation and development of a spectrum of Earth system models at different levels of complexity and at various spatial and temporal scales. Emphasizing the physical system, the School encompasses the broader field of Earth sciences, including economics and social sciences. The IMPRS-ESM strives to attract a diversity of talented men and women from all nationalities to research in the Earth system sciences.

Online registration starts 1 July and ends 8 September 2014. 

All application documents have to reach the IMPRS-ESM office by 15 September 2014, including recommendation letters. The selection procedure includes an interview of short-listed candidates.

Interviews occur on 27 & 28 November 2014.

Doctoral positions generally start in March 2015; financial support will be offered in the form of a stipend or a doctoral contract (duration up to 3 years)

The PhD program is open to applicants holding a Master´s degree (with written thesis) or a German ´Diplom´ in physics, geophysical sciences (incl. meteorology and oceanography), chemistry, ecology, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or economics.

For your complete application, we require the following documents from you:

• Signed Application Form (note, this form was sent to you after successful registration) – to be returned to us via fax or e-mail attachment (as scanned document)

• The Form for the Identification of Potential Supervisor showing at least one nomination (an overview of scientists and their research topics is listed here)

NOTE: Topics will be discussed in more detail after a successful interview, therefore there is no need to contact individual research staff at this point of the recruitment.

• Letter of Motivation and Research Interests (see advice in box below)

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Documents relating to your Master’s degree (or German ‘Diplom’)
  • title page of your thesis and an abstract
  • copy of MSc certificate
  • copy of MSc transcript (a list of all courses/lectures you took)

• Documents relating to your Bachelor’s degree (redundant with ‘Diplom’)
  • copy of BSc certificate
  • copy of BSc transcript (a list of all courses/lectures you took)

• 2 Reference Letters (from e.g. former advisors) sent to us directly via e-mail from the official work account of your chosen referees. Please note that we will consider those references only that are submitted using our standardised reference sheet (note: this form and our letter to referees were sent to you after successful registration). Reference letters sent from private accounts e.g. gmail or yahoo or by yourself instead of the referee cannot be accepted.

• Proof of English skills, if possible.

 

Optionally, you may submit any additional documents which you consider important for your application (e.g. Publications, Job References, Certificates of Workshops or Awards etc.).

More info here.