The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,650 employees, we develop a sound understanding of systems and processes of the solid Earth as well as strategies and options for action to counter global change, understand natural hazards and sustainably secure energy and raw material requirements.
PhD candidate (f_m_x) - Understanding and preparing for High-Impact / Low-Probability flood events
Reference Number 9925
The Section Hydrology at the GFZ searches for a PhD candidate to work in the framework of the JCAR ATRACE project. You will be part of a community of PhD students from multiple affiliate institutions, all working to reduce risk from extreme hydrological events in Europe. In this context, you are expected to interact and collaborate with candidates from other partner institutions.
We seek a PhD candidate with experience in modelling, statistics and programming and with interest in hydrological extremes and risk research. The PhD candidate is expected to develop plausible worst-case floods, quantify their impacts and develop measures to reduce disastrous consequences.
The successful candidate should have the interest and ability to participate in collaborative and interdisciplinary research activities and discussions in the field of hydrological extremes and disaster management. The candidate is expected to closely collaborate with research partners from the JCAR-ATRACE network and with regional stakeholders, and present, publish and communicate research results at scientific meetings and in scholarly journals.
Your responsibilities:
- Develop methods to construct plausible High-Impact / Low-Probability events including physical and societal processes
- Simulate High-Impact / Low-Probability events for transboundary catchments and design adequate risk reduction measures in discussion with regional stakeholders
- Present, publish and communicate research results at scientific meetings and in scholarly journals
- Undertake a PhD study at the University of Potsdam
- Be an active part of the JCAR ATRACE community, participate in events, and develop collaborations.
Your qualifications:
- Master's degree in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Geoinformatics, Physics or related fields
- Good programming skills
- Expertise in modelling is beneficial
- Capacity for interdisciplinary teamwork and excellent communication skills
- Ability to communicate in English fluently. German language command is an advantage
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
Fixed-term: 3 years (with the option to extend)
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?
Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. 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. 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. If you have any questions, please contact our Representative Body for Employees with Disabilities at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz-potsdam.de.
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.
