Research Scientist / Postdoc (f_m_x) in Hydrology

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 52.000 - 64.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research organization in Germany seeks a Hydrologist for a project focused on water extremes. Candidates must hold a Master's and PhD in relevant fields, with experience in hydrological models and statistical analysis. The role involves co-developing strategies, simulating scenarios, and presenting findings. The center offers a dynamic research environment, public service benefits, and support for work-life balance. Located in Potsdam, this full-time position has a fixed term of 36 months, with flexible working options.

Leistungen

Flexible working hours

Professional career advice

State-of-the-art equipment

Extensive training opportunities

Institute day-care centre on site

Qualifikationen

• PhD certificate available at the start of the work contract.
• Publication record demonstrating independent research ability.
• Solid understanding of the terrestrial water cycle, particularly of the flood risk system.

Aufgaben

• Contribute to an iterative development of storylines in close cooperation with stakeholders.
• Implement hydrologic and hydrodynamic models according to the storylines for the focus regions.
• Engage in simulating various storyline scenarios and explore results with project partners.

Kenntnisse

Experience in hydrological and hydrodynamic models

Statistical data analysis

Machine learning

AI-based modelling

Research software development

Fluency in English

Strong communication skills

Ausbildung

Master’s Degree in Hydrology, Environmental Sciences or related disciplines

PhD in related field

Tools

Fortran

Python

Git

Jobbeschreibung

Area of research

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description

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 4.4 Hydrology (department “Geosystems”), we are looking for a: Reference Number 10904

Helmholtz Solution Lab Rur Erft (SLRE)

In the frame of the Helmholtz “Water Safety and Security” campaign, the Solution Lab Rur Erft (SLRE) aims to develop solutions, engineering and nature‑based, for coping with water extremes – both droughts and floods in the Rur and Erft basins. Thus, in the context of too much water, but often not enough, identifying solutions in front of the background of multiple sources of uncertainty represents a key challenge for future water safety and security, as well as climate change adaptation. The SLRE approach is based on developing digital twins used to simulate storylines and explore solution spaces in an interactive solution room, in close collaboration with partners at other Helmholtz Centres and regional stakeholders, through a co‑design and transfer‑by‑design approach.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to an iterative development of storylines in close cooperation with stakeholders
• Implement hydrologic and hydrodynamic models according to the storylines for the focus regions
• Contribute to the implementation of the models within a digital twin
• Engage in simulating various storyline scenarios and explore results with project partners and stakeholders
• Present and publish research results at scientific meetings and peer‑reviewed journals

Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree and a PhD (certificate available at the start of the work contract) in Hydrology, Environmental Sciences or related disciplines
• Demonstrated experience in the application of hydrological and hydrodynamic models for water resources research
• Solid understanding of the terrestrial water cycle, particularly of the flood risk system
• Experience in statistical data analysis, machine learning and AI‑based modelling
• Experience in research software development and open‑science workflows (e.g., Fortran, Python, Git)
• Publication record demonstrating independent research ability
• Fluency in English (written and oral)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

What we offer

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State‑of‑the‑art equipment
• 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
• Institute day‑care centre on site
• Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Work place 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

Full‑time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part‑time work.

Place of work

Potsdam

Application deadline

4th January 2026

Required documents

CV and letter of motivation

Desirable documents

references, certificates/grades

Contact information

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, 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. Sergiy Vorogushyn either via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331‑6264‑28787.

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.

Please use our online application form only.