Researcher for Finance Scenario Development (m/f/d)

The climate needs bright minds. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development. It is one of the world's leading research institutions in its field and offers natural and social scientists from around the world an inspiring environment for excellent interdisciplinary research.

PIK’s Research Department III Transformation pathways is offering a position as a

Researcher for Finance Scenario Development (m/f/d) (Position number: 46-2024 Researcher NGFS)

starting as soon as possible.

The position is funded for until October 2026, with the option to extend it should follow-up funding for above projects become available. Remuneration is in accordance with the German public tariff scheme (TV-L Brandenburg), salary group E 13 This is a full-time position with a weekly working time of 40 hours per week. Appointment is conditional on approval by the funding agency. The position can be filled on a part-time basis.

The focus of your work will be the project “Setting the Standard for actionable Climate Risk Assessments“ (NGFS project). As part of an academic consortium, you will co-create climate transition scenarios with central bankers for the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). The NGFS scenarios were presented for the first time in 2020, and have received international recognition as an important product for assessing climate-related financial risk. You will take a leading role in preparing the annual update for 2025, with the option to extend the position for future updates should the project be continued beyond 2025. As part of the position, you will also contribute to the development of sector pathway comparison tool for financial institutions in collaboration with the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI project), and a climate scenario vetting tool for a broad set of users of global climate change transformation scenarios (Scenario Compass Initiative – CSI).    

Key responsibilities

• Development, vetting and analysis of climate transition scenarios for the NGFS using PIK’s integrated assessment modeling framework (REMIND-MAgPIE) in collaboration with an interdisciplinary research team at PIK. This includes the coordination of the development and vetting process. 
• Day-to-day coordination of the academic consortium supporting the NGFS, in collaboration with a project manager at PIK. This includes the support of Prof. Dr. Elmar Kriegler in his role as head of the academic consortium. 
• Coordination of the collaboration with central banks and financial regulators active in the Workstream on Scenario Design and Analysis of the NGFS, together with a project manager at PIK.  
• Development of scenario vetting approaches for the NGFS, UNEP-FI and SCI projects, with a focus on sector detail and feasibility considerations. 
• Exchange and co-creation of knowledge with finance sector stakeholders, including on scenario design, vetting, and alignment of sector pathways with global Paris-consistent transformation pathways.
• Assessment of current use of climate change scenarios for financial analysis and needs for improvement 
• Participation in project meetings and stakeholder outreach
• Developing reports, online tools and databases with and for stakeholders
• Presentation of results at inter­national conferences and events
• Contribution to publications of results in scientific journals

Requirements

• Master's Degree or PhD in Economics, Physics, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, System Sciences or a related field
• Training in formal, quantitative methods, excellent analytical skills
• Willingness to travel for work (project meetings, workshops etc.) and take part in further training
• Strong motivation and good organizational skills
• Team orientation and strong communication skills in English (working language at PIK is English)
• Experience in research software engineering, programming experience (e.g. R or GAMS) and knowledge of financial regulation, energy systems, and climate policy are assets
• We expect
  • the ability to work independently and on your own initiative
  • structured and goal-oriented thinking
  • capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics
  • creativity and openness to new approaches
  • a high level of competence in oral and written English 
  • reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation
  • willingness to travel for work (project meetings, workshops etc.) and take part in further training
  • capacity for teamwork 
  • organisational talent.
  We offer
  • the ability to work independently and on your own initiative
  • structured and goal-oriented thinking
  • capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics
  • creativity and openness to new approaches
  • a high level of competence in oral and written English 
  • reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation
  • willingness to travel for work (project meetings, workshops etc.) and take part in further training
  • capacity for teamwork 
  • organisational talent.

  PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photo. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities, or age. PIK seeks to increase the share of women in scientific positions, and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. In cases of equal qualification and within the given legal scope, women will be given preference. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.

  Please apply by 07.10.2024 directly using our application form below this job advertisement on our website.

  If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit the Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. In the case that you do not yet have a ZAB Statement of Comparability for your qualification, please be aware that you may need to request this if your application is successful. You can find further information on this website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html

  For further information or to discuss the position, please contact Dr. Elmar Kriegler.