Researchers in Paleoclimate Modelling for Environment-Society Dynamics

CMCC Position cod. 12826

Researchers in Paleoclimate Modelling for Environment–Society Dynamics

Deadline: May 31st, 2026

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking two highly motivated researchers to join the climate team of the ERC Synergy Grant project EUROPest. This ambitious six-year interdisciplinary project explores how social–ecological systems shaped epidemic disease dynamics in preindustrial Europe (1300–1800), integrating historical, archaeological, ecological, genomic, and climatic evidence. Grounded in resilience theory and actor‑network approaches, the project develops an innovative eco‑bio‑social framework to capture the complex, multicausal dynamics of disease emergence, transmission, and societal responses. The international consortium brings together leading partners from across Europe and the United States.

The two positions will strengthen the project’s climate‑related activities, with a particular focus on high‑resolution palaeoclimate simulations and the analysis of past climate variability over Europe and the Mediterranean. The successful candidates will work with climate model simulations, reconstructed climate fields, and complementary datasets to investigate variability, extremes, and processes operating from large‑scale to regional levels across the last millennium. Particular consideration will be given to applicants with experience in atmospheric dynamics, ocean‑atmosphere interactions, regional climate processes, and complex or coupled climate systems.

The positions are open to candidates with backgrounds in climate science, atmospheric science, oceanography, environmental physics, applied mathematics, statistics, or related disciplines. We particularly encourage applicants with experience in numerical climate simulations, Earth system analysis, coupled systems, or advanced quantitative methods for spatio‑temporal data. The selected candidates will be based at CMCC and supervised by Dr. Elena Xoplaki, working in an international and collaborative research environment at the interface of climate science and environmental history.

ABOUT US

CMCC Foundation is a cross‑cutting scientific research center on climate change and its interactions with the environment, society, the world of business, and policymakers. Our work aims to stimulate sustainable growth, protect the environment, and develop strategies for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. CMCC's core objective is to conduct cutting‑edge science, to train the next generation of scientists at both national and international levels, and to be a beacon for climate modelling.

CMCC pursues fundamental and applied science with utmost scientific integrity, prioritizing data‑driven science and providing data, information, and research results that can support informed public debate and decision‑making processes. To achieve climate research objectives at the highest international standards, we invest in training all our talents, and strive to create a workplace where everyone can excel.

At CMCC you will find a strong, professional environment. Join an inclusive community that values diversity, where every voice is heard and respected. Help foster a culture of innovation and societal change, where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive and succeed.

ROLE

The researchers will contribute to EUROPest’s climate component by supporting the application, implementation, and analysis of high‑resolution climate modelling approaches for Europe and the Mediterranean over the period 1300–1800 CE. Their work will focus on the use and evaluation of palaeoclimate simulations, including externally forced experiments and, where relevant, coupled atmosphere–ocean frameworks, to characterise past climate variability and extremes at spatial and temporal scales relevant to interdisciplinary analyses.

They will contribute to the preparation, evaluation, and interpretation of climate model outputs, including comparison with proxy‑based reconstructions. The role includes investigating large‑scale drivers, regional expressions of climate variability, and the consistency of climate signals across simulations and empirical evidence. Experience with atmospheric, oceanic, or coupled climate‑system processes will therefore be particularly valuable.

The positions are closely integrated with ongoing climate modelling and reconstruction activities within the team and across project partners. The researchers will also support the translation of climate information into forms suitable for interdisciplinary analysis, contributing to a broader framework linking environmental variability with societal processes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the implementation, analysis, and evaluation of high‑resolution palaeoclimate simulations over Europe and the Mediterranean
• Work with externally forced climate simulations and related datasets across regional to large‑scale domains
• Support the preparation, processing, and evaluation of simulation experiments addressing past climate variability and extremes
• Engage with atmospheric, oceanic, and, where relevant, coupled climate‑system processes represented in modelling frameworks

• Analyse simulated climate variability, trends, and extremes across relevant temporal scales
• Compare model outputs with proxy‑based reconstructions and other lines of climate evidence
• Assess the consistency, uncertainties, and robustness of climate signals across datasets and approaches
• Apply statistical and data‑driven methods to analyse and interpret spatio‑temporal climate patterns and relationships

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams working on climatic, environmental, historical, and societal dimensions within the project consortium and the CLIVAR division
• Support the integration of climate information into broader analyses of environment–society interactions
• Contribute to scientific publications, reports, and project deliverables
• Present research results at international conferences, workshops, and project meetings

REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in climate science, atmospheric science, oceanography, geosciences, physics, applied mathematics, statistics, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated experience with regional and/or global climate models, Earth system models, or closely related numerical modelling frameworks
• Experience in the analysis and interpretation of climate simulations, ideally including atmospheric, oceanic, or coupled land–ocean–atmosphere systems
• Familiarity with high‑resolution climate applications, downscaling approaches, or the representation of multiscale climate processes
• Experience in model evaluation, model–data comparison, or the analysis of climate variability and extremes using statistical or data‑driven methods
• Proficiency in scientific programming and data handling, including experience with Python, Bash, and standard climate data tools and workflows
• Experience working in high‑performance computing (HPC) environments
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment
• Willingness to take initiative, assume responsibility, and contribute actively to the group’s research agenda
• Interest in palaeoclimate, historical climatology, climate variability, or interdisciplinary research on climate–environment interactions
• A strong publication record relative to career stage in climate science, modelling, or a related field.

DURATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Please note that this opportunity will be issued both internally and externally.
• The researchers will be based in Bologna CMCC office.
• Contract and gross annual salary will be based on qualifications and working experience.
• Welfare package, for minimum 12 months contract.
• Flexible working time as per internal policies.
• Support during the immigration process, if needed.

PROTECTED CATEGORY

Belonging to legally protected categories (ex L. 68/99) will constitute a preferential condition. Some fiscal benefits could be applied for repatriated workers or foreign researchers/professors, having the requirements defined by Dlgs 147/2015 (for repatriates) or Dl 78/2010 (for foreigners).

CMCC is an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status, and other legally protected characteristics. Please omit from your CV any data you or we might consider discriminatory.

Applicants responding to this posting declare that they have read, understood and agreed to the Official Rule for the CMCC Personnel recruitment.

We will keep your information on file for up to 1 year.