Careers

Open positions in the ICOS field

Programmer/Software Developer, ICOS Carbon Portal, Lund, Sweden (deadline 8th June 2026)

ICOS Carbon Portal is hosted by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Lund University and is part of ICOS ERIC, the legal entity of the Integrated Carbon Observation System that provides high quality long-term measurements of greenhouse gas exchange in the domains of atmosphere, ecosystems and ocean. Carbon Portal offers open access to all ICOS high-quality and standardised greenhouse gas data, as well as scientific and educational products produced by our scientific users. The Carbon Portal is thus a 'one-stop shop' for all ICOS data products. Carbon Portal also (co-)develops web services for the user community that support the scientific exploration of the data.

Work duties

We are looking for an experienced backend developer to join our small team, working on services for open scientific data. You will be able to work on a variety of tasks depending on your skills, interests, and the team’s needs. The ideal candidate is comfortable managing self-hosted web services, has strong experience in statically typed languages, and is familiar with functional programming concepts. Our main repositories are https://github.com/ICOS-Carbon-Portal/data and https://github.com/ICOS-Carbon-Portal/meta.

• Design and develop scalable and efficient applications using Scala 3 in an open source environment.
• Work with a triple store database using RDF, OWL, and SPARQL. Prior experience is advantageous, but not required.
• Troubleshoot and debug issues in production and development environments.
• Contribute to code reviews, participate in team discussions, improve technical documentation, and mentor co-workers when needed.
• Take high-level or less detailed requirements, and define clear and actionable tasks before moving to implementation.

Requirements

• Several years of worklife experience with backend development.
• Comfortable working independently and driving task specification.
• Worklife experience in statically typed languages and functional programming.
• Proficient with Linux and Git.
• Ability to write clear and effective documentation.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Other merits:

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well in a collaborative environment
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Desire to grow and share your technical abilities.
• Scala, Akka, Play framework.
• RDF, OWL, SPARQL.
• TypeScript, JavaScript, Python.

Terms of employment

Permanent position with preferred start date of 1 September 2026, with the possibility of an earlier start upon mutual agreement. A probationary period of 6 months will be applicable. The scope of the employment is full time.

Deadline for applications is 8th June 2026.

Read more and apply here.

Doctoral student in Atmospheric Physics and Environmental Modelling, Lund University, Sweden (deadline 7th June 2026)

We offer a fully funded 4-year PhD position in our international team. The PhD project will be carried out in close collaboration between Lund University (LU, main supervisor Prof Natascha Kljun, Dept of Earth and Environmental Sciences and co-supervisor Dr Pontus Roldin, Dept of Physics) and Linköping University (LiU, co-supervisor Prof Fredrik Lindsten, Dept of Computer and Information Science). The project will employ one PhD student at LU, and one at LiU.

At LU, you will become part of a team working on greenhouse gas modelling and measurements in Europe and beyond. You will have the chance to join the MERGE and ELLIIT research communities. The position offers further national and international collaboration with scientists at the Technical University of Munich and the Universities of Freiburg, Innsbruck, Helsinki, and Gothenburg. Together with the home institution, this interdisciplinary team covers expertise in atmospheric dynamics, inverse modelling techniques, Large Eddy Simulation, flux measurements, ecosystem, aerosol and climate modelling and emission inventories, and machine learning.

Being a doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at LU (100%).

You will be trained in a scientific approach, to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

Subject and project description

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to improve modelling and forecasting of greenhouse gas emissions of European cities to support their efforts in emission reductions.

The main goal of this project is to extend, evaluate and apply the existing and widely used flux footprint model FFP (Kljun et al. 2015) in the urban landscape. Footprint models allocate the extent and location of sources or sinks of greenhouse gases measured at the surface, on tall towers, or on drones. Current footprint models are not valid for complex environments. Under guidance of experts, you will fill this gap and develop the first fast footprint model applicable to urban landscapes and other complex terrain.

You will be enrolled in the doctoral programme in Environmental Science (Syllabus) and have also the opportunity to become part of the graduate schools ClimBEco and/or Compute

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral education, mainly consisting of writing a doctoral thesis. In addition, you are expected to

• Carry out research within the subject area
• Publish results in high-quality journals
• Attend project meetings at LU and LiU, including research visits at LiU
• Actively contribute to the collaborative environment within ELLIIT
• Present results at national and international conferences

In addition to studies, a maximum of 20% of working time may be spent on teaching and other departmental work.

Deadline for applications is 7th June 2026.

Read more and apply here.

Director General, Hungarian Research Network Institute for Nuclear Research (HUN-REN ATOMKI), Debrecen, Hungary (deadline 31st May 2026)

We invite applications from visionary, internationally recognised scientific leaders with strong management skills and a proven track record, capable of driving innovative, future-oriented research programmes and providing high-level strategic leadership across a broad range of the physical sciences at the Institute.

The HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research (HUN-REN ATOMKI) is one of the HUN-REN’s 15 research institutions.

HUN-REN ATOMKI is a leading European centre for advanced research in nuclear, atomic, molecular and particle physics. HUN-REN ATOMKI – founded in 1954, in Debrecen, Hungary’s second largest city – conducts high impact experimental and theoretical investigations aimed at elucidating the fundamental structure, interactions and dynamical behaviour of matter. Its research portfolio spans both curiosity-driven discovery science and mission-oriented applied physics, supported by cutting-edge instrumentation and unique laboratory capabilities.

Building on its core strengths in accelerator‑based nuclear and atomic physics, HUN-REN ATOMKI develops state‑of‑the‑art methods and technologies that enable breakthrough research across multiple scientific domains in line with HUN-REN’s strategic objectives. These include materials science and diagnostics, earth and environmental sciences, space and astrophysical studies, as well as medical, biological and cultural‑heritage research.

HUN-REN ATOMKI’s extensive research infrastructure and capabilities include experimental nuclear physics laboratories and high-precision measurement environments supporting accelerator- and detector-based experimental research, and a dedicated unit focusing on isotope-based environmental and climate research that are all made available for international partners.

HUN-REN ATOMKI is already well-integrated into European research infrastructure networks (e.g. the institute is the Hungarian consortium leader of the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) and the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS)) and participates in collaborations with leading international institutes, such as the RIKEN Nishina Centre in Japan, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and several Helmholtz centres. HUN-REN ATOMKI also coordinates the Hungarian Space Chemistry Research Network, providing experimental platforms for astrochemical and space-environment modelling.

HUN-REN ATOMKI currently employs around 200 staff, including more than 110 researchers across all career stages.

We invite applications for the Director General position of HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research (HUN-REN ATOMKI) from visionary, internationally recognised scientific leaders with strong management skills and a proven track record, capable of driving innovative, future-oriented research programmes and providing high-level strategic leadership across a broad range of the physical sciences at the Institute.

The successful candidate will be a highly accomplished, front-rank researcher with leadership and management experience to enhance the Institute’s global standing, broaden its research and innovation records, international collaborations, and ensure its strong participation in the national and global research and innovation ecosystems focusing also on partnership, cooperation and collaboration.

Appointment and conditions

• The position is a fulltime appointment for a four-year term, extendable by a further two years following comprehensive evaluation. Upon completion of the term, candidates may apply for a new term.
• Employer is the President of HUN-REN. Employment conditions are governed by Hungarian law.
• A competitive remuneration and allowance package will be offered, commensurate with international standards.

Equity and inclusion

• HUN-REN is committed to diversity, equal opportunity and an inclusive work environment.
• All applications are handled with strict confidentiality.

OVERVIEW ABOUT THE DIRECTOR GENERAL POSITION

The Director General is the chief executive and scientific leader of the HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research (HUN-REN ATOMKI), responsible for shaping its long-term vision, strengthening the Institute as an internationally recognised centre of research excellence, and ensuring its effective and transparent operation. The role requires a strategic, internationally experienced scientific leader committed to excellence, innovation, and institutional development within the HUN-REN.

The Director-General

• formulates, coordinates and implements the research institute’s scientific strategy, research objectives and plans;
  ensures research and innovation activities;
• contributes to HUN-REN’s mission and objectives;
• prepares and implements the institute’s business plan and budget;
• provides lawful, efficient, and transparent management of the Institute;
• represents the research institute, exercises employer’s rights, and manages assets and contractual obligations;
• aims at securing additional funding through national, EU, and international sources and industry relations;
• promotes innovation, IP management, industry relations;
• supports researcher career development, training of the next generation, and attraction of young researcher;
• strengthens national and international scientific relations and expands cooperation with research, industry, and higher education sectors;
• enhances international visibility and partnerships;
• actively contributes to HUN-REN governance, supports decision-making bodies, and implements their decisions.

Deadline for applications is 31st May 2026.

Read more and apply here.

PhD thesis position, Understanding the relation between photosynthesis and sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) of forests, French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE), Nancy, France (deadline 31st May 2026)

Photosynthesis is unfortunately not measurable directly on scales greater than a single plant. The lack of predictability of future photosynthesis is thus one of the largest uncertainties in climate projections (IPCC, 2021).

Chlorophyll fluorescence is an afterglow of photosynthesis and hence tightly linked to Gross Primary Productivity (GPP). Sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has become the quasi-reference in studies of the carbon cycle and the response of GPP to environmental cues, on the simple basis that remotely-sensed SIF from satellites correlates well with GPP estimated on eddy covariance flux towers on a weekly to monthly scale. Several satellite missions that target SIF are to be launched in the near future such as ESA’s FLEX mission scheduled for 2026. Large-scale GPP can otherwise not be measured directly and not be determined from satellite observations. However, the correlation between GPP and SIF breaks down completely for daily and diurnal observations and the simplified concepts to describe SIF from forest canopies are not valid anymore on such short timescales.

Objective: The PhD project will use model-data fusion to understand mechanistically the observed signal of SIF above forest canopies and its link with GPP of the ecosystem. It will measure for the first time active and passive SIF within a forest canopy, making it possible to describe mechanistically other loss processes in the photosynthesis apparatus. The PhD will model photosynthesis and SIF mechanistically and with a radiative transfer within the canopy with different optical properties for photosynthetically active radiation and for SIF. By teaming up with the research project FLORES, which will codevelop the first drone-based SIF instrument for proximal remote sensing, the project will be able to upscale local above-canopy SIF observations to the whole ecosystem and link it with ecosystem GPP. This will make the fast variations of SIF available to study ecosystem photosynthesis and its responses to fast environmental changes such as heat waves.

Profile: We are seeking a motivated candidate that likes to combine biology with physics, i.e. combining biochemical modelling at the leaf level with physical modelling at the canopy scale. They should have strong computer skills, an aptitude for physics, and are keen to actively participate in measurement campaigns. There should be an interest in research related to climate change and an affinity to work with international partners.

Time and Place: The thesis will take place for three years at the UMR Silva on the campus of INRAE near Nancy (54280 Champenoux) from autumn 2026 onwards.

More detailed information on the PhD topic can be found here.

Deadline for applications is 31st May 2026.

Read more and apply here.