PhD Position (f_m_x): Hydrological model development for geodetic applications

GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung

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 1.3 Earth System Modelling (department “Geodesy”), we are offering a:

PhD Position (f_m_x): Hydrological model development for geodetic applications

Reference Number 10895

We are looking for a PhD candidate to improve an existing numerical model of the terrestrial branch of the global water cycle to fit geodetic requirements for use in global mass variation and Earth rotation studies. The research project will be carried out together with the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw). The team at GFZ is responsible for developing numerical models of large-scale mass transport processes from which climate signals in Earth's rotation changes will be inferred. Your task will be to perform a wide range of hydrological model simulations forced by various atmospheric reanalyses, to improve the representation of land water storage variability in the model. Your responsibilities:

• Execution and evaluation of hydrological model experiments under various forcing conditions and parameterisations
• Design and implementation of process adjustments to improve land water storage representation
• Model evaluation by means of geodetic observations
• Sensitivity analyses and uncertainty assessment of the model results
• Presentation of your results at international conferences and project meetings
• Publication of your results in peer-reviewed journals

Your qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in hydrology, meteorology, physics, mathematics, geodesy, or a related discipline
• Experience with large-scale hydrologic modelling will be advantageous
• Familiarity with geophysical data analysis
• Excellent skills in scientific programming and scripting, preferably with Python and shell
• An asset is to be familiar with geodetic observation techniques, such as satellite gravimetry, GNSS, or satellite altimetry
• Strong social and excellent communication skills

• Good command of the English language (written and spoken)

What we offer:

• 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
• Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus