**UniBE is ambitious.** With us, you deliver top performance and test your skills against the best. **Start Date** 01.10.2026 or upon agreement **Employment Relationship** fixed-term **Institution / Workplace** Physics Institute, Climate and Environmental Physics **Project description** The Ocean Modelling Group and the Atmospheric Dynamics Group within the Climate and Environmental Physics Division at the University of Bern invites applications for a PhD position in Earth system modeling with a focus on the climate and biogeochemical responses to large-scale catastrophic events. The PhD candidate will be an integral part of the newly established National Competence Centre in Research NCCR GENESIS (www.nccr-genesis.ch). NCCR Genesis is a research infrastructure project funded by SNSF focussing on exploring the emergence of life in the Universe. This interdisciplinary research infrastructure brings together physicists, earth and planetary scientists, chemists and biologists to understand the conditions and the mechanisms that enable life to emerge. Developing reliable methods to detect reliable traces of life (biosignatures) -- whether through remote sensing or direct onsite measurements -- requires significant innovation. These challenges demand close collaboration across physics, biology, chemistry and the earth sciences. NCCR Genesis does not aim to provide answers in all fields, but to drive innovative research and achieve decisive progress. Thus, this project offers the opportunity to collaborate with leading experts in planetary sciences within the NCCR GENESIS, as well as with leading climate scientists at the Climate and Environmental Physics Division and the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research of the University of Bern. The successful candidate will be part of the Ocean Modeling Group and Atmospheric Dynamics Group at the Climate and Environmental Physics Division of the University of Bern. **Tasks** The PhD candidate will explore how extreme perturbations to the Earth system, such as massive volcanic eruptions and meteorite impacts, shape the Earth climate and biosphere across different Earth system configurations representing distinct stages of the Earth's history. The project will involve designing and performing targeted set of climate simulations spanning different Earth system configurations, including variations in atmospheric composition, orbital forcing and continental configurations. The simulations will be conducted with the state-of-the-art Earth System Model GFDL ESM, simulating the coupled dynamics of the climate and carbon cycle. The successful candidate will present results at national and international scientific conferences, and publish in peer-reviewed journals. **Requirements** We are seeking an outstanding candidate with a Master's degree in climate science, physics, oceanography, atmospheric dynamics, Earth sciences, or a related field. Experience in climate modeling, programming, and large dataset analysis is highly desirable. Knowledge of the climate system and global biogeochemical cycles is an asset. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required. We deeply committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our aim is to cultivate a respectful and fair work culture with equal access to professional development and support for all. We strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups. **Your Benefits** Strong research infrastructure and international network Team-oriented work Inspiring work environment Individual support and guidance **Working at the University of Bern** The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us. **Application and Contact** Interested candidates should submit a single PDF file including a motivation letter, CV, MSc certificates including evaluations, a web link to the Master's thesis (if available), and contact details of two references. Applications should be sent to Prof. Thomas Frölicher (thomas.froelicher@unibe.ch). Review of applications will begin on August 10th, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. The preferred start date is October 2026 or upon agreement. The NCCR GENESIS is committed to equal opportunity in hiring. **Questions about the position?** Prof. Thomas Frölicher, thomas.froelicher@unibe.ch **Questions about the application?** Prof. Thomas Frölicher, thomas.froelicher@unibe.ch