01.09.2016: Starting on 1 January 2016, Professor Jean Braun becomes Head of the new GFZ section Earth Surface Process Modelling. Jean Braun was successfully recruited for the GFZ by the Helmholtz Recruiting Initiative. He extends the GFZ’s expertise in the field of numerical Earth surface modelling.
Jean Braun works in various domains of the Earth Sciences, from Earth surfaces processes to geodynamics, using both numerical and mathematical methods. His current research interests concern the mathematical representation of how climate, tectonics, and mantle flow interact to create the past and present Earth’s surface landforms. One of his main priorities at the GFZ is the development of a Predictive Earth Surface Simulator (PESS). This simulator will integrate the physical, chemical, and biological processes that are responsible for Earth’ s surface evolution. Braun and his section members will develope and optimise this simulator in collaboration with other GFZ sections by using a wide range of observation data.
With the recruiting of Prof. Braun the modelling competence of the research topic “<link en research topics earth-surface-and-climate-interactions>Earth Surface and Climate Interactions” within the inter-center Helmholtz Research programme “<link en research topics geosystem-the-changing-earth>Geosystem: The Changing Earth” is strengthened.
After finishing his diploma in natural sciences with high distinction at the University of Liège, Belgium, Braun did a PhD at the Dalhousie University in Canada in the field of Oceanography. The native Belgian was a senior researcher and professor at the Research School of Earth Sciences of the Australian National University until 2004. Since 2005 he worked as a professor at the Université de Rennes and, more recently, the Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble in France. During the past year he was visiting professor at the Harvard University and the University of Berkeley, USA.
On 1 September 2016 Jean Braun will start on his position in a joint professorship with the University of Potsdam in “Earth Surface Modelling". (ak)
