PhD Student (f/m/d) Complex Systems Approaches to Dryland Resilience

HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESD EN-ROSSENDORF E.V.; Dresden; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 55.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research institution in Germany is looking for a PhD Student focusing on complex systems approaches to dryland resilience. Responsibilities include developing new precursors of phase transitions and analyzing vegetation correlations. Candidates should have a Master's in Physics or related fields and programming experience, preferably in Python. The position offers a supportive, diverse work environment with a structured PhD program.

Leistungen

30 days of paid holiday leave

Company pension scheme (VBL)

Support for work-life balance

Employee discounts via Corporate Benefits

Subsidy for Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket

Qualifikationen

• Knowledge of Bayesian inference methods is a plus.
• Interest in collaborative work and ability to work in a team.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research.

Aufgaben

• Develop new precursors of phase transitions in living systems focusing on water-limited ecosystems.
• Analyze vegetation spatiotemporal correlations close to desertification transitions.
• Test precursor accuracy in remote-sensing data.

Kenntnisse

Knowledge of dynamical systems

Programming experience in Python

Fluent in written and spoken English

Ausbildung

Completed university studies (Master or Diploma) in Physics, Applied Mathematics or related field

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

PhD Student (f/m/d) Complex Systems Approaches to Dryland Resilience at the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) and the Department of Dynamics of Complex Living Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR).

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today. The Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) is a German-Polish research center for data-intensive digital systems research.

Responsibilities

• Develop new precursors of phase transitions in living systems focusing on water-limited ecosystems
• Analyze vegetation spatiotemporal correlations close to desertification transitions in simulated data
• Test precursor accuracy in remote-sensing data

Qualifications

• Completed university studies (Master or Diploma) in the field of Physics, Applied Mathematics or related field
• Knowledge of dynamical systems and network theory
• Previous knowledge of pattern formation theory and of Bayesian inference methods is a plus
• Previous programming experience in Python is desired
• Interested in collaborative work and ability of working in a team
• Interest in inter-disciplinary research
• Fluent in written and spoken English

Our offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities under the supervision from CASUS and Prof. Dr. Viola Priesemann from Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here (https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=1908 )
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
• An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"

Diversity and inclusion

At HZDR, we promote and value diversity among our employees. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds regardless of gender, ethnic and social origin, belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

Details

Place of work/ Working hours: Görlitz, 29.25 h/week

Limitation: 36 months

Contact and deadline

For any questions, do not hesitate to ask: Dr. Ricardo Martinez Garcia, Tel.: [phone]

Deadline: 27 October 2025

Application process

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.