The Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) enters its second funding phase in January 2026, following its successful evaluation in the German Excellence Strategy.
CLICCS brings together leading research institutions primarily located in Hamburg, including Universität Hamburg, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, and the German Climate Computing Center (DKRZ), along with additional national and international partners.
The Cluster provides scientific answers to the central question: Which climate futures are plausible, and how can desirable climate futures be realized? Its integrative approach characterizes climate futures through the interaction of two key dynamics: the natural dynamics of the climate system and the social dynamics of societies, which are coupled through climate mitigation and adaptation measures.
Accordingly, CLICCS is structured into four interconnected research areas: Social Dynamics, Mitigation, Natural Dynamics, and Adaptation. These areas comprise a total of 18 research projects, each addressing fundamental aspects of climate futures.
CLICCS integrates expertise from climate science, Earth system modeling, social sciences, economics, political science, geography, and interdisciplinary sustainability research.
(Planned) Support Activities for Postdocs
Regular Lunch Exchange Format Fostering Informal Scientific Discussion and Career Exchange Between Postdocs and Senior Researchers | Annual Cluster Retreat | Structured Mentoring Schemes | Individual Coaching Offers | Guideline for Career Development Defining the Cluster’s Principles and Standards | Conventions and Climate Campus Activities Within CLICCS to Strengthen Exchange and Visibility | Postdoc Representatives | Networking Events With Peers and Doctoral Candidates | Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Exchange and Collaboration Across All Research Areas of CLICCS
Recruiting
Open positions are listed on the cluster’s job page.
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