The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences is one of the world's leading institutions in the field of geosciences. As part of the Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest research organisation, it addresses global challenges such as natural hazards, climate change and the sustainable use of resources, with around 1,200 employees and approx. 500 guests.
Section 4.4 "Hydrology" (department "Geosystems"), in collaboration with the University of Zürich and the University of Freiburg, is offering a doctoral position within the DFG-funded Research Unit "Fast and invisible: Conquering Subsurface Stormflow (SSF) through an Interdisciplinary Multi-Site Approach" (Reference Number 11436).
Research will focus on investigating hillslope-riparian zone-stream connectivity at the reach-to-catchment scale. A novel experimental design is used to identify hillslope subsurface stormflow and to track its physical and chemical signatures during passage through the riparian zone and along the stream channel network, based on hydrometric and tracer-hydrological measurements. Work benefits from extensive existing monitoring infrastructure, including nine large trench systems for collecting subsurface flows, complemented by fiber-optic temperature sensing in soil and stream. Fieldwork will be conducted in three catchments in Germany. The position is part of a cluster hire of six positions in Potsdam, Bayreuth and Zürich, with close collaboration expected across institutes.
Responsibilities: assessment of groundwater inflows through distributed temperature sensing (fibre-optic cables, DTS, thermal infrared imagery); installation and maintenance of DTS systems for continuous monitoring in soil and stream; methodological developments for the use of heat as a tracer for preferential flow; development of signal processing routines for high-frequency measurements; installation, optimisation and maintenance of monitoring equipment (logger programs, power management, calibration routines, possible use of microcontrollers); tracer experiments in the stream; in-depth data analysis using R, Python or Matlab; presentation and publication of scientific results.
Essential qualifications: MSc in hydrology, geosciences, environmental sciences, engineering or a closely related field with experience in environmental sensing; enthusiasm, curiosity, self-drive and commitment, willingness to handle responsibility and enjoy field team work (regular field campaigns of 5-10 days); experience in environmental fieldwork including extended walking and carrying heavy loads; process-oriented thinking and hydrological process understanding; interest in sensor development; excellent quantitative skills (programming, data analysis, data management, large datasets); very good English writing and communication skills; valid driver's license (European Cat. B). Desirable: experience with DTS, heat as a hydrological tracer, sensor hardware and sensor development; German an asset but not essential.
Start date: 1 October 2026. Fixed-term: 3.5 years. Salary group 13 (TVöD Bund). Working hours: part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week). Place of work: Potsdam.
Closing date: 19 August 2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply by 19th August 2026 using the online application form only: https://gfz.concludis.de/bewerber/landingpage.php?prj=580P11436&b=12&lang=en_GB&ie=1&oid= . Required documents: letter of motivation; CV including names and contact details of at least two referees; certificates/grades. For queries regarding the field of activity, contact Dr. Theresa Blume (theresa.blume@gfz.de). General application-process questions: recruiting team, +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.