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 is offering a
Programme coordinator position for the Planetary Boundary Initiative (m/f/d)
(Position number: 17-2025 Programme coordinator)
starting as soon as possible.
The position is funded until June 2027. 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. The position can be filled on a part-time basis with a minimum of 32 hours per week.
The Planetary Boundary Initiative (PBI) is a growing network of institutions and organizations that aims to develop a comprehensive, annually updated Planetary Health Check – a science-based diagnostic of Earth’s vital signs (https://www.planetaryhealthcheck.org/). Through advanced modeling, AI-driven analytics and high-resolution Earth observation networks, PBI will deliver real-time insights on Planetary Boundary transgressions, assessments of systematic risks to human and ecological systems, and transformation pathways to restore global stability.
Key responsibilities
- Programme and network management for a rapidly growing international, interdisciplinary initiative with internal and external partners.
- Central interface between the four foundational pillars of the PBI:
- science - interacting with several research groups within and outside PIK,
- data - an international network of data providers,
- operationalization - a network of science institutions and consulting groups,
- communications - an international team of graphical and storytelling pioneers.
- Strategic planning and advice to the PBI steering committee.
- Preparation, moderation and follow up of PBI leadership and steering committee meetings.
- Monitoring and facilitating the smooth running of the programme on a day-to-day basis, ensuring things ‘stay on track’.
- Organising international workshops and events.
- Networking with existing and new partners from academia, industry and consulting, technology, media and civil society.
- Coordinating and drafting scientific and non-scientific texts, and actively shaping and presenting at international events and/or conferences.
- Monitoring relevant (geo)political developments and preparing and submitting funding proposals.
- Spokesperson for PBI at the World Economic Forum and other international fora.
Requirements
- Master's degree in environmental or political science, international relations or a related field;
- Strong, proven project-management skills;
- Analytical interest in and understanding of political and scientific debates in connection with climate change and global sustainability and related political processes and bodies.
- Hands-on experience with the functioning of academic institutions, the interpretation of scientific results and science communication;
- Experience in moderating high-level meetings and preparing high-quality presentations (in particular with PowerPoint).
We expect
- A high level of motivation, the ability to work independently and to take initiative;
- A methodical and systematic approach in the face of many parallel tasks;
- Structured and goal-oriented thinking;
- Capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics;
- Ability to understand complex webs of projects, initiatives, processes and organisations;
- Creativity and openness to new approaches;
- A high level of competence in oral and written English; further language skills in at least one UN language and/or German are a plus;
- Reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation;
- Willingness to travel for work (e.g. to project meetings and large events);
- Flexibility and adaptability to new and changing tasks and scopes of work;
- Capacity and appreciation for teamwork;
- Organisational and communication talent.
We offer
- The chance to be part of an engaged, interdisciplinary team;
- A stimulating working environment in an internationally recognised research institute on Potsdam's beautiful, historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin;
- company KITA/kids day nursery “Geolino” directly in the science park on Telegrafenberg, within walking distance of PIK
- Flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours);
- A collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job.
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 15.06.2025 directly via our application form below this job advertisement on our website. The application process remains open until the position is filled.
If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. If you do not yet have a transcript evaluation, please note that you may have to request one if your application is successful. For further information, please visit the website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html
For further information or to discuss the position please contact Dr. Janin Schaffer.
