The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen is one of the world's leading research institutions in the field of solar physics and planetary research with around 300 employees. The interdisciplinary research focus is the investigation of the development, diversity and dynamics of planets, moons, small bodies, the sun and solar-like stars. The MPS develops and operates scientific instruments for current and future space missions (e.g. ESA, NASA), and carries out cosmochemical laboratory investigations of meteorites as well as numerical modeling on state-of-the-art supercomputers.
Max Planck Institute invite applications for a Postdoctoral Position in rotating convection and 2D turbulence.
Rotating convection and 2D turbulence are fundamental problems in geophysical and astrophysical fluid dynamics. This project will focus on understanding the nonlinear dynamics of rotating flows and turbulent transport, with applications to the Earth’s dynamo and to large-scale flows in Jupiter and Saturn.
Your tasks
- Investigating rotating convection and 2D turbulence using theoretical, numerical, and data-driven approaches.
- Studying the formation of large-scale coherent structures and their relevance for planetary flows.
- Analyzing the role of rotation, buoyancy, and turbulence in dynamorelated processes.
- Exploring applications to the Earth’s magnetic field generation and to the atmospheric and interior dynamics of Jupiter and Saturn.
- Developing reduced models and scaling relations for turbulent transport and large-scale flow organization.
- Comparing numerical results with available observational and experimental evidence in geophysical and astrophysical contexts.
Table of Content
Summary
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Benefits
- Comprehensive onboarding, professional development and further training opportunities
- Diverse and varied tasks in an international work environment
- Renumeration according to TVöDBund, based on qualifications and experience, annual bonus and additional pension scheme (VBL)
- 30 days of vacation plus 4 additional days off
- Full-time and part-time employment; flexible working time and possibility of mobile work
- Collaboration with local bilingual Montessori child care center
- Good connection by public transport
- Corporate health management
The full-time position is available from June 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position is available for one year, with the possibility of a one- or additional-year extension.
Requirements
- PhD in fluid dynamics, physics, applied mathematics, geophysics, astrophysics, or a related field.
- Experience with numerical methods and scientific programming in Python, Fortran, C, or similar languages.
- Experience with turbulence, rotating flows, convection, or dynamorelated problems.
- Experience with high-performance computing is desirable.
- Good English skills.
Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadline
April 30, 2026How To Apply
- Max Planck Institute look forward to receiving your informative application documents (cover letter, CV, a publication list, a statement of research interests (max. 2 pages), and the names and contact details of two potential referees).
- Please submit these via the digital application portal.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Xiaojue Zhu [email protected]. Further information about the group.
For more information, kindly visit Max Planck Institute webpage.
