Post-doctoral research assistant in theoretical climatology

Organisation/Company Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) Department ELI Research Field Physics » Applied physics Mathematics » Applied mathematics Geosciences » Geology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Belgium Final date to receive applications 3 Oct 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Brussels) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Negotiable Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon 2020 Reference Number  Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

In the context of the Past2

Future project, UCLouvain is recruiting a post-doctoral research assistant, for a negotiable contract duration between 20 and 24 months.

The candidate will hold a PhD in physics, geosciences, mathematics, or an equivalent field. Previous experience or demonstrated knowledge in palaeoclimate dynamics and climate modelling will be considered an advantage.

In this project, the candidate will use and develop a simple model (for example, the model SURFER ) to simulate and understand the dynamics of the Cenozoic, the geological period that saw the hyperthermal events of the Eocene, the development of Antarctica, and the emergence of glacial–interglacial cycles. The objective is to characterise the dynamics of this period using non-linear time series analysis methods and to provide a solid basis for the interpretation of data-driven identification of climate regimes and punctuated equilibria .

The candidate will be part of the research team of Michel Crucifix , which is active in the study of non-linear climate dynamics on long time scales, with current projects on the dynamics of the Devonian and the Carboniferous. The team is connected both to climate physicists, in the framework of the Past2

Future project, and to palaeoclimate scientists and geologists working in the field of cyclostratigraphy. The PI is committed to active and supportive management.

• The candidate will hold a PhD in physics, mathematics, geosciences, or equivalent.

• Knowledge or prior experience in climate modelling, dynamical systems theory, and palaeoclimate dynamics will be considered an advantage.
• Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Comfortable with the requirements of academic research, including interactions within a research group and with international partners, as well as scientific writing and communication.
• Proficiency in LaTeX and good programming skills (typically in one of R, Python, or Julia, with the capacity to learn).
• Familiarity with, and readiness to apply, the principles of open research, including code versioning, licensing, and collaborative editing.