Scientific programmer (m/f/d)

Job Description

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is our goal to make significant contributions to mastering the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees of KIT cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in research, academic education, and innovation.

We are looking for the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMKIFU), KIT-Campus Alpin, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen from 01.10.2025, limited up to 3 years, for a

Scientific programmer (m/f/d)


The Global Land-Ecosystem Modelling Group (LEMG) of KIT-s Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMKIFU) is located at the -Campus Alpin- in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

We seek an ecosystem modeler to support code development and applications that address interactions of climate change, biodiversity loss and land-use change. This position focuses on the LPJ-GUESS ecosystem model in particular context of LandSyMM (www.landsymm.earth) to enhance its capacity to model important processes relevant within these interactions.

Your tasks include:

  • Contribute to the development of a full, online coupling of LandSyMM
  • Development of ideas for model applications, simulation set-up and analysis and publications
  • Updates and further development of LPJ-GUESS to investigate the impact of land management on ecosystem properties
  • Conduct literature searches to obtain data for model testing and evaluation
  • Documentation of code development and performance
  • Support other team members in questions of code development and application
  • Contribute to the group- overall activities such as project reporting, supervision and teaching
  • Collaborate with LEMG team members and partners at other institutions (especially University of Edinburgh and Lund University).

You have:

  • A Ph.D. degree in environmental science, ecology, meteorology, or related areas.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in coding languages, ideally C++.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Python or R.
  • Fluent written and spoken English and strong communication skills.
  • Practical experience with version control systems like git, and familiarity with software testing and documentation practices.
  • Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) systems, parallel data processing, and data formats such as netCDF.
  • Willingness to travel.
  • Previous experience in running or developing an ecosystem model is an advantage.

of staff of the only German University of Excellence that conducts large-scale research on the national level. Work under excellent working conditions in an international environment and be active in research and academic education for our future. Benefit from specific training when starting your job and from a wide range of further qualification offers. Use our flexible working time models (flexitime, work from home) and work surrounded by a stunning mountain scenery with high recreational value..

We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job.

Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.

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