Head of Scientific Modelling (all genders)

Job description

At Klim, we are building a movement together with farmers and companies to make regenerative agriculture scalable and impactful. As an AgriTech startup based in Berlin, we work with farmers to regenerate soils, promote biodiversity and sequester carbon – and through our platform, farmers receive fair compensation for doing so. With a Series A funding round of $22 million, we are expanding and are working with leading companies in the food industry such as Nestlé and Lorenz Snackworld to help them reduce emissions along their supply chains while simultaneously increasing their resilience and profitability. Since 2020, we have convinced more than 4,000 farmers managing more than 1.000.000 hectares across Germany and Poland to join us, and we are now the leading provider of Scope 3 solutions in Europe! If you are passionate about building a sustainable food system and creating real climate impact, come join us and help create a healthier planet! Klim is seeking an impact-driven Head of Scientific Modelling to lead the scientific backbone of our climate and regenerative agriculture work. This is a unique opportunity to shape and scale the scientific foundation of Klim's regenerative agriculture programs, making sure our models are not only robust and scalable, but also audit-ready, aligned with leading standards and certification frameworks as well as clients’, farmers’ and strategic requirements. Your mission: As Head of Scientific Modelling, you will lead the development, integration, and validation of Klim's modelling ecosystem, spanning soil carbon and broader regenerative agricultural impact models. You will lead the development of our core models (RothC and other process-based biogeochemical models) and act as the scientific authority responsible for ensuring consistency and rigour across every scientific model used in the company. In addition to owning the development and calibration of our core SOC models, you will define and drive an ensemble modelling strategy, integrating multiple models and data sources into a coherent, scientifically robust, and scalable setup. You will ensure that Klim's modelling approach is not only scientifically sound, but also aligned with certification requirements and capable of supporting decision-making across diverse geographies and farming systems, while meeting our customers’ and farmers’ requirements. This role sits within the MRV team with a strong focus on model integration, validation, and system-level thinking. You will also manage Klim's soil scientists in a matrix organisation, setting technical standards, mentoring on scientific quality, and growing the team's modelling capability over time. You will work closely with product, data, and engineering teams to translate complex modelling approaches into operational, audit-ready workflows. Your responsibilities: - Work with the core model squad, owning the development and application of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) models (e.g. RothC) and adjacent biogeochemical models that underpin Klim's regenerative agriculture programs. - Strong individual contributor with a hands-on approach, spending a significant portion of the role directly building and delivering models rather than primarily providing oversight. - Provide scientific leadership and management to Klim's soil scientists, setting modelling standards, reviewing scientific work, and developing the team's capabilities. - Ensure scientific consistency across all of Klim's models, so that assumptions, parameterisations, and outputs hang together coherently across SOC, emissions, and farm-system models. - Define and drive an ensemble modelling strategy, leveraging different models and approaches to improve robustness, reduce uncertainty, and ensure consistency across use cases. - Lead the design and implementation of Klim's modelling architecture, integrating multiple models into a unified framework. - Ensure alignment of modelling approaches with certification standards and methodologies (e.g. Verra VM0042/VM0053, ISO 14064/14067, SBTi FLAG, GHG Protocol, and emerging EU CRCF). - Work closely with product and data teams to ensure models support both scientific credibility and operational delivery. Your profile: - Substantial hands-on experience with RothC or other soil organic carbon models, including calibration, parameterisation, and application at scale. - Proven track record building and applying biogeochemical models across more than one model family (e.g. RothC, DayCent, DNDC), with comfort working across different model paradigms rather than only within a narrow specialty. - Prior experience leading or managing scientific or modelling teams, including line management or strong disciplinary leadership. - Proven experience in model validation and scientific verification, including calibration against field data and uncertainty assessment. - Working understanding of Python sufficient to read modelling code, collaborate effectively with engineers, and reason about implementation choices. Expert-level coding is not required. - Experience working with or interpreting carbon methodologies and certification frameworks (e.g. Verra VM0042/VM0053, ISO standards, SBTi FLAG, GHG Protocol). - Understanding of MRV systems, including the link between modelling, sampling, and verification. - Experience applying models across different geographies, soil types, and farming systems. - Ability to translate complex scientific models into practical, scalable, and audit-ready solutions. - Experience engaging with third-party auditors, validation bodies, or registries. - Startup/commercial mindset with experience in fast-paced environments, making pragmatic trade-offs between scientific rigor and delivery speed. Ability to apply expertise beyond academia to deliver practical business outcomes. Nice to Have - PhD in soil science, biogeochemistry, agronomy, ecology, or a related field. - Experience in startup or high-growth environments. Your benefits: - Opportunity: Be part of our journey from the very beginning, working on an equal footing with the leadership team to build a new company. - Impact: Make a daily and active contribution to combating climate change, promoting consumer education, and fostering fair conditions for our climate-conscious farmers. - Autonomy: Take ownership of your projects and enjoy a high degree of creative freedom. - Flexible work model: At Klim, we foster a flexible, hybrid work approach and facilitate remote work (within the EU). It is advantageous for this role if you live in Berlin or can be present in our office regularly. - Additional benefits for Germany-based employees: We offer membership in the Urban Sports Club or subsidisation of the Deutschlandticket, a company pension scheme, plus team lunches (if based in Berlin) and regular team events. At Klim, we believe that a thriving workplace is built on the diverse backgrounds, talents, and perspectives of our team. We grow stronger together by embracing and building on each individual’s unique strengths. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. All hiring and personnel decisions are made solely based on qualifications, performance, and the needs of the company—ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for all. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. You might be the perfect fit for our team in ways you don’t yet realise!