PhD Position (f_m_x): Hydrological model development for geodetic applications
GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung

Temporary

Part Time

Apply by: 2026-01-07

Published: 2025-11-18

Potsdam

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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

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:

Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)

Place of work:

Potsdam

Job location

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About the employer

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

Potsdam + 6

> 1000 employees

German + 1

Established 1992

9 Jobs

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

The GFZ is Germany’s national center for research on the solid Earth. We advance the understanding of dynamic processes to address global challenges—ranging from mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and preserving our environment in times of global change to the responsible management of natural resources. We are a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organization. With approximately 1,200 staff and around 500 visiting researchers, we contribute to the Helmholtz research area “Earth and Environment,” combining cutting-edge research with societal relevance and international collaboration.

Our work integrates multidisciplinary studies of Earth’s systems and leverages advanced technologies and infrastructures to explore solutions and bring our knowledge into society. We do all this in line with our vision: “In tune with the Earth—to preserve it as a habitable planet.”