The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) offers six doctoral positions to be involved in the research on climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. This research activity is led by the Research Domain Sustainable Solutions chaired by Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer, who also serves as IPCC Co-chair of Working Group III on Mitigation of Climate Change.
PIK is an internationally renowned research institution in the areas of climate change, climate policy and climate economics, and provides excellent support for developing a career in these areas. As a leading institution on integrated assessment modeling of climate change, PIK provides successful applicants the opportunity to participate in a series of international comparison studies.
1. PhD student (ref. ap/02, 3 years; prospective initial date: January 2011)
Climate impacts on land and water use
The position will focus on the further development of a global land use model, including biophysical linkages such as climate change impacts on agricultural yields, greenhouse gas emissions from land use and land use change, and the carbon and water cycle. Background in applied economics, geography, ecology, geo-ecology, applied mathematics or physics is needed; experience in economic modeling(preferably with GAMS) is an advantage.
For further information, contact Dr. Alexander Popp (popp@pik-potsdam.de).
2. PhD student (ref. ap/03, 3 years; prospective initial date: January 2011)
Climate impacts and economic damages
This position involves the further development of a global land use model, including macroeconomic and energy linkages as well as socio-economic impacts of global changes at global, EU and macro-regional level. The model framework will be applied to assess climate change damages, adaptation and mitigation options in the agricultural sector. Background in agricultural, resource or development economics, geography or applied mathematics is needed, complemented by experience in mathematical programming (preferably with GAMS).
For further information, contact Dr. Alexander Popp (popp@pik-potsdam.de).
3. PhD student (ref. ml/01, 3 years; prospective initial date: January 2011) Climate change mitigation and globalization
This dissertation project deals with the representation of the macroeconomic system and its interfaces in integrated energy-landuse-economy-climate-models. A particular focus is put on modeling international trade, foreign investments, global food markets and the strategic behaviour of representative agents. This work is linked to the further development of the global multi-region model REMIND. We expect candidates to have quantitative training and interest in applied modelling. A background in economics, environmental sciences, physics, or a related field with a strong interest for inter-disciplinary research is required; experience in economic modeling (preferably with GAMS) is an advantage.
For further information, contact Dr. Marian Leimbach (leimbach@pik-potsdam.de).
4. PhD student (ref. ek/04, 3 years; prospective initial date: January 2011) Coupled energy-economy-climate modeling
This position is linked to the EU project on Robust Assessment of Climate Mitigation Pathways and Costs. The successful applicant will work with the coupled energy-economy-climate model REMIND at PIK, with a focus on studying incomplete carbon markets and carbon leakage. She or he will also contribute to the model comparison exercises in the project. The work will include numerical modeling and empirical analysis. This position requires a degree in environmental sciences, physics, economics, or a related field, a strong interest for inter-disciplinary research, and expertise in quantitative methods; experience in programming (preferably with GAMS) is an advantage.
For further information, contact Dr. Elmar Kriegler (kriegler@pik-potsdam.de).
5. PhD student (ref. gl/01, 3 years; prospective initial date: Spring 2011): Energy efficiency and climate change mitigation
This dissertation project deals with the further development of the global multi-region integrated energy-economy-climate-model REMIND with a focus on the representation of energy demand and the analysis of the role of energy efficiency improvements for achieving ambitious climate policy targets. We expect candidates to have quantitative training and interest in applied modelling. A background in physics, engineering, environmental sciences, economics, or a related field with a strong interest for inter-disciplinary research is required; experience in economic modeling (preferably with GAMS) is an advantage.
For further information, contact Dr. Gunnar Luderer (luderer@pik-potsdam.de).
6. PhD student (ref. kl/01, 3 years; prospective initial date: Spring 2011) Modeling cooperative climate policy
The position will focus on modeling cooperative climate policy with special attention to diverging interests of nation states to participate in international climate agreements, e.g. due to differences in national costs and benefits, incentives to free-ride, or due to differences in the respective governments' objectives. The appointee will explore policy instruments and treaty design to foster international cooperation using analytical and numerical solution approaches to economic models of climate agreements. Background in applied economics and mathematical modeling is needed; knowledge of political economy and international relations as well as experience in economic modeling, applied system science, and numerical optimization (preferably with GAMS) is an advantage.
