PhD candidate (f_m_x) - Social Sciences

GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung

The Research Institute for Sustainability at GFZ (RIFS) conducts research with the aim of investigating, identifying, and advancing development pathways for transformation processes towards sustainability in Germany and abroad. The institute was founded in 2009 as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and has been affiliated with the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences under its new name since the 1st of January 2023 and is thus part of the Helmholtz Association.

For our research group Systemic Risks, we are looking for a:

PhD candidate (f_m_x) – Social Sciences

Reference Number 10871

We are recruiting a PhD candidate to examine the societal implications of Enhanced Silicate Weathering (ESW) as a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy. The position is embedded in the RESET project ("Developing Roadmaps to Scalable Carbon Dioxide Removal by Enhanced Silicate Weathering"), which is part of the BMFTR-funded consortium CDRTerra. RESET brings together three closely linked PhD positions to explore ESW from natural science and social science perspectives. Enhanced Silicate Weathering (ESW) involves applying finely ground reactive (ultra)mafic minerals to agricultural soils to permanently remove atmospheric CO₂. ESW is considered a promising large-scale CDR option due to its long-term storage potential and comparatively low cost. RESET investigates both the opportunities and challenges of deploying ESW at scale and aims to co-develop potential implementation pathways together with stakeholders. We are looking for a motivated PhD student to research the societal implications of ESW. The successful candidate will map systemic interdependencies in terms of potential trade-offs and synergies in the implementation of ESW, as well as implement stakeholder participation processes and co-creation processes for scaling strategies of ESW. Your responsibilities:

• Identifying relevant stakeholder groups at local, regional, and national levels
• Identifying and analysing stakeholder groups' needs in implementing ESW and their socio-economic and institutional scope for action
• Mapping systemic interdependencies using causal loop diagrams (e.g., impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, and land/resource use)
• Identifying trade-offs (e.g., competing uses of basalt flour) and synergies (e.g., crop yield increases, reduced waste streams), including assessment of related uncertainties
• Organising stakeholder workshops and conducting interviews
• Contributing to communication and dissemination activities related to the project
• Participating in and helping to organise scientific conferences
• Producing scientific outputs, e.g., project reports, policy briefs, journal publications, and conference presentations

Your qualifications:

• Completed academic university education, master's degree from an academic university or an accredited master's degree from a university of applied sciences in the fields of social sciences, political science, or sociology
• Knowledge in the areas of stakeholder analysis, institutional and governance analysis, policy analysis, risk research, and systems analysis methods
• Experience in stakeholder participation
• Experience in writing academic publications, research reports, and policy briefs
• A high degree of initiative, creativity, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Fluency in written and spoken English; German language skills are an advantage, but not required

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