Physicist, Mathematician, Computer Scientist or similar (f/m/x)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!For our Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich we are looking for

Physicist, Mathematician, Computer Scientist or similar (f/m/x)

Quantum Variational Differential Equation Solving for Climate ModelsWhat to expect: The PhD candidate will be supervised by Prof. Veronika Eyring, a leading expert in improving climate models with machine learning and Distinguished Affiliated Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and co-supervised by Prof. Tobias Osborne from the University of Hannover, a leading expert in quantum information theory. The PhD is part of the Quantum Fellowship Program of the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative, which offers education in quantum computing and further topics as well as excellent networking opportunities. Despite significant progress in climate and Earth system modelling over the last few decades, systematic biases and substantial uncertainty in the model responses remain. A major cause of this is differences in the representation of clouds and other processes occurring at spatial scales smaller than the model grid resolution. These need to be approximated through parametrisations that represent the statistical effect of that process at the grid scale of the model. New approaches are required that exploit opportunities from increasing computational power and new computational paradigms. The Quantum Computing for Earth System Modelling group within the department develops a prototype for a climate model based on quantum machine learning (QML), replacing subgrid-scale physical parameterisations with QML approaches. The unique opportunities offered by quantum computing are explored to improve and accelerate climate modelling and its development process. The candidate will explore the potential of quantum computing to accelerate climate models, in particular the solving of selected partial differential equations (PDEs), as a collaborative project between DLR-IPA and the University of Hannover. The PhD thesis will particularly focus on identifying the greatest possible quantum speedup to a subroutine or subtask of the climate modelling computational pipeline and find ways to apply Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum or “NISQ-friendly” techniques to the equations arising in the field of climate modelling.

• performance analysis on numerical methods of climate modeling
• investigation of greatest possible quantum speedup to subtask of climate modelling pipeline
• implementation of NISQ-friendly technique applied to toy model
• implementation of NISQ-friendly technique applied to subtask of climate modelling
• computational scaling analysis of the developed algorithm
• documentation and software as open source
  
  

At the DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics we provide excellent facilities with opportunities to work with world-renowned experts in the field of Earth system modelling and observations. You will be part of the Earth System Model Evaluation and Analysis Department which develops and applies innovative methods, including ML techniques, for the analysis of Earth system models in comparison to observations. The ultimate goal is to improve climate models and projections with machine learning and spaceborne Earth observations for actionable climate science and technology assessments in aeronautics, space, transport, and energy research. The department is strongly linked to international research activities within the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), with substantial contributions to CMIP. We are striving to increase the proportion of female employees and therefore particularly welcome applications from women. What we expect from you:

• master/diploma or equivalent degree in physics, mathematics, computer science or similar field with adequate educational background for a PhD thesis in computer science or physics
• very good programming skills (preferably python) and experience in data analysis
• interest in climate research, Earth system modelling, and quantum computing
• enthusiasm, motivation and creativity
• fluency in English (written and spoken)
• experience in quantum computing and climate modelling is an advantage
• security clearance as well as the willingness to security clearance pursuant to
• 8 ff. Security Clearance Act (SÜG) is a condition for employment at DLR.
  
  

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified. Further information: Starting date: As soon as possible

Duration of contract: 3 years

Type of employment: Part-time Remuneration: up to 75 % of the German TVöD 13 Vacancy-ID: 94859 Contact:

Mierk Schwabe Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre

Tel.: 08153 28 4239