PhD Position (f_m_x): Hydrological model development for geodetic applications

GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 50.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading German research institute is seeking a PhD candidate for a position focused on improving numerical models of the terrestrial branch of the global water cycle. This role involves executing hydrological model simulations and collaborating with international teams. The ideal applicant has a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline and strong skills in programming and data analysis. The position offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for international collaboration and professional development.

Leistungen

Ambitious and varied tasks

Public service benefits

Extensive training opportunities

Professional career advice

Flexible working hours

Support for work-life balance

Workplace near public transportation

Qualifikationen

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in hydrology, meteorology, physics, mathematics, geodesy, or a related discipline.
• Experience with large-scale hydrologic modelling will be advantageous.
• Familiarity with geophysical data analysis.

Aufgaben

• Execution and evaluation of hydrological model experiments under various forcing conditions.
• Design and implementation of process adjustments to improve land water storage representation.
• Model evaluation by means of geodetic observations.
• Sensitivity analyses and uncertainty assessment of the model results.
• Presentation of results at international conferences and project meetings.
• Publication of results in peer-reviewed journals.

Kenntnisse

Experience with large-scale hydrologic modelling

Familiarity with geophysical data analysis

Excellent skills in scientific programming and scripting

Familiarity with geodetic observation techniques

Good command of the English language

Strong social skills

Excellent communication skills

Ausbildung

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in hydrology, meteorology, physics, mathematics, geodesy, or related discipline

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung Research Field Geosciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Germany Application Deadline 7 Jan 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

GFZ is Germany's national centre for solid Earth research. We advance the understanding of dynamic processes to address global challenges, from mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and sustaining our habitat amid global change to responsibly managing georesources. We are part of the Helmholtz Association, the largest German scientific organisation. With around 1,200 employees as well as ca. 500 guest researchers, we contribute to the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment, aligning cutting-edge research with societal relevance and international collaboration. Our work integrates multidisciplinary studies across Earth's system components, leveraging advanced technologies and infrastructure to research solutions and to transfer our knowledge to society. We are doing this according to our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.

For section 1.3 Earth System Modelling (department “Geodesy”), we are offering a: Reference Number 10895

We are looking for a PhD candidate to improve an existing numerical model of the terrestrial branch of the global water cycle to fit geodetic requirements for use in global mass variation and Earth rotation studies. The research project will be carried out together with the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw). The team at GFZ is responsible for developing numerical models of large-scale mass transport processes from which climate signals in Earth's rotation changes will be inferred. Your task will be to perform a wide range of hydrological model simulations forced by various atmospheric reanalyses, to improve the representation of land water storage variability in the model.

Your responsibilities:

• Execution and evaluation of hydrological model experiments under various forcing conditions and parameterisations
• Design and implementation of process adjustments to improve land water storage representation
• Model evaluation by means of geodetic observations
• Sensitivity analyses and uncertainty assessment of the model results
• Presentation of your results at international conferences and project meetings
• Publication of your results in peer-reviewed journals
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in hydrology, meteorology, physics, mathematics, geodesy, or a related discipline
• Experience with large-scale hydrologic modelling will be advantageous
• Familiarity with geophysical data analysis
• Excellent skills in scientific programming and scripting, preferably with Python and shell
• An asset is to be familiar with geodetic observation techniques, such as satellite gravimetry, GNSS, or satellite altimetry
• Strong social and excellent communication skills
• Good command of the English language (written and spoken)

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• Public service benefits
• Extensive training opportunities
• Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
• Working at the Albert Einstein Science Park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 36 months
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)
Place of work: Potsdam Have we piqued your interest?If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 7th January 2026 . Required documents: letter of motivation,CV and certificatesPlease use our online application form only.

The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. We also promote an inclusive working environment in which everyone can fully develop their own talents. Anyone who has been recognised as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.

“Diversity in perspectives” is one of GFZ's core values. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. We among others do this through our gender equality plan and the cascade model measures which we actively implement to enable sustainable equal opportunities in academic career paths. The GFZ thus committedly strives for gender equality in science, including in leadership positions, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Dr. Laura Jensen via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number [phone].

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.