Postdoctoral Researcher (f_m_x) - Hydrology / Hydrogravimetry

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

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”. The section Hydrology (department “Geosystems”) offers a Postdoc position with a focus on assessing groundwater storage dynamics by making use of mass change observations from satellite-based and terrestrial gravimetry:

Postdoctoral Researcher (f_m_x) – Hydrology / Hydrogravimetry

Reference Number 11091

This position is part of two research activities: (i) the project "Securing Terrestrial Water Cycles: the Helmholtz Solution Lab Elbe River Basin (SOLVE)", funded by the Helmholtz Association. SOLVE brings together expertise from seven Helmholtz Centres and 10 stakeholder institutions to develop a science-based decision framework for the Elbe River catchment with the overarching goal to identify and optimise water management practices; (ii) the EU project e-genesis (Generating Earth Intelligence for Environmental and Sectoral Impact and Sustainability), bringing together 21 European institutions to transform Earth Observation, Artificial Intelligence and emerging digital technologies into actionable insights that support EU policy implementation and strategic decision-making, with one pillar focusing on water resource foresight and sustainability. We are looking for a candidate to investigate data from satellite gravimetry (GRACE and GRACE-FO satellite missions) and terrestrial gravimetry (continuous ground-based monitoring with superconducting and other gravimeters) for quantifying groundwater storage dynamics. The research will integrate the time-continuous gravity observations with other hydro-meteorological and geophysical data sets to single out the storage dynamics of groundwater from local scales to the Elbe River basin scale and on the European scale. Key objectives are groundwater signal separation and its evaluation, spatial scaling, and forecasting of groundwater storage and recharge with data-driven approaches and hydrological modelling. The position will closely interact with other partners in SOLVE and e-genesis and contribute to the development of water-related data services and integrated management solutions. Your responsibilities:

• Analyse and evaluate groundwater storage variations based on satellite and terrestrial gravity observations and complementary in-situ and Earth Observation data sets
• Develop data-driven methods for isolating and forecasting groundwater storage variations and recharge, using deep learning and explainable AI
• Communicate and discuss results with stakeholders to integrate the findings into water management practices
• Contribute to project documentation and deliverables
• Interpret, publish and present findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and workshops

Your qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or diploma and a PhD in Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Geodesy, Geosciences, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Physics or Mathematics
• Knowledge of the water cycle and of hydrological or hydrogeological processes
• Experience with processing or applying time-variable satellite-based or ground-based gravity data
• Experience in statistics and data-driven modelling (e.g., machine learning), experience in working with large data sets
• Good programming skills, preferably in Python
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Very good command of English
• Experience in writing scientific publications
• Knowledge of the German language is an asset

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