12788 - Arctic Research Scientist

LECCE - BOLOGNA, LECCE - BOLOGNA, Italy
Full Time
Integration of the planetary biogeochemical and industrial carbon cycle
Experienced
CMCC Position cod. 12788
Arctic Research Scientist
Deadline: November 30th, 2025

 
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking up to two climate scientists passionate about understanding the rapidly changing Arctic system and its implications for maritime navigation (Position 1), with emphasis on sea-ice modeling and polar extreme events (Position 2). While a single candidate covering both areas would be ideal, we are also open to considering two complementary profiles.

At CMCC, you’ll join a newly established interdisciplinary working group studying how ocean, sea-ice, and atmospheric dynamics, as well as associated extreme events and carbon cycle feedback, shape the future of maritime transport in the Arctic. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical and computational skills with curiosity and creativity—leveraging both physical understanding and data-driven approaches, including AI and machine learning, to uncover new patterns in complex Arctic datasets. The candidate will work across disciplines—oceanography, sea ice and polar dynamics, climate extremes, and operational research—to uncover how Arctic change affects shipping and safety of navigation. If you’re eager to apply advanced data analysis and modeling to one of the most critical frontiers in applied climate research, we’d love to hear from you.

                            
ABOUT US

CMCC Foundation is a cross-cutting scientific research center on climate change and its interactions with the environment, society, the world of business, and policymakers. Our work aims to stimulate sustainable growth, protect the environment, and develop strategies for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. CMCC's core objective is to conduct cutting-edge science, to train the next generation of scientists at both national and international levels, and to be a beacon for climate modelling.

CMCC pursues fundamental and applied science with utmost scientific integrity, prioritizing data-driven science and providing data, information, and research results that can support informed public debate and decision-making processes. To achieve climate research objectives at the highest international standards, we invest in training all our talents, and strive to create a workplace where everyone can excel.

At CMCC you will find a strong, professional environment. Join an inclusive community that values diversity, where every voice is heard and respected. Help foster a culture of innovation and societal change, where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive and succeed.

About the ICC Program

The Integration of the planetary biogeochemical and industrial Carbon Cycle (ICC) Program is one of four strategic research programs within CMCC, focusing on understanding and shaping the new paradigm of building a net-zero carbon economy which is essential to providing quantitative and narrative analyses of socio-economic systems in the context of a sustainable and resilient future.


To learn more about this opportunity and submit your application, please refer to the following:


ROLE

At CMCC, we connect cutting-edge science to actionable climate insights. In this role, you will analyze and synthesize climate and ocean data to advance our understanding of the Arctic system—its physical processes, emerging extremes, and feedback influencing global emissions and carbon uptake—and how its ongoing changes affect shipping trade routes.


Working within the CMCC Arctic Working Group, you will collaborate with experts in polar climate modeling, extreme events prediction, and ship weather routing, developing and improving numerical models for navigation in the polar regions (Position 1) and extreme events prediction and their broader impact on Arctic ecosystem and socioeconomic activities including trade and maritime navigation (Position 2). For both positions, you are expected to apply AI-assisted methods and statistical learning techniques to extract knowledge from large geophysical datasets. The two positions are highly interdisciplinary: they require solid scientific and computational skills, an ability to integrate model outputs with observations, and a readiness to engage with cross-program teams on the broader climate implications of Arctic change.





RESPONSIBILITIES


The Arctic Research Scientist(s) will support the CMCC Arctic Working Group through engagement in some or all of the following activities:
  • Applying data analysis and AIML methods to develop an Arctic ship weather routing model, using inputs from observations, dynamic climate models, and extreme events analysis.
  • Investigating the interplay between sea-ice loss, ocean circulation, and extreme events, and their implications for climate feedbacks and carbon fluxes.
  • Collaborating with modeling teams to design and interpret targeted experiments (e.g., wave–ice–ocean coupling or idealized scenarios under reduced sea-ice extent).
  • Synthesizing results into concise scientific products, reports, and working papers supporting future proposals and collaborations.
  • Contributing to the integration of Arctic process understanding into broader CMCC initiatives on emissions, extremes, and carbon-cycle modeling.
  • Engaging with internal and external partners, including Arctic research institutes and observation networks, as well as shipowners and other maritime stakeholders, to strengthen data-sharing and methodological innovation.



REQUIREMENTS

Required:
  • PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering or Earth Sciences
  • Demonstrated experience in Arctic research, with emphasis on polar climate dynamics, sea ice variability, polar extreme events, and maritime navigation in ice-prone waters.
  • Advanced programming skills in Python and experience with scientific and visualization libraries (e.g., xarray, pandas, Plotly, Matplotlib).
  • Excellent written and spoken English and strong communication skills across scientific and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Preferred:
  • At least two recommendation letters
  • Collaborative mindset, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to advancing climate science.


DURATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
  • Please note that this opportunity will be issued both internally and externally.
  • The position will be based in the CMCC Lecce office (Position 1), or Bologna office (Position 2).
  • Contract and gross annual salary will be based on qualifications and working experience.
  • Welfare package, for a minimum 12-month contract.
  • Flexible working time as per internal policies.
  • Support during the immigration process, if needed.


PROTECTED CATEGORY
Belonging to legally protected categories (ex L. 68/99) will constitute a preferential condition.
Some fiscal benefits could be applied for repatriated workers or foreign researchers/professors, having the requirements defined by Dlgs 147/2015 (for repatriates) or Dl 78/2010 (for foreigners).
CMCC is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status, and other legally protected characteristics. Please omit from your CV any data you or we might consider discriminatory.
This job announcement is an invitation to express interest in the above-mentioned CMCC Position.
 

Applicants responding to this posting declare that they have read, understood and agreed to the Official Rule for the CMCC Personnel recruitment".

We will keep your information on file for up to 1 year.

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