Research Scientist / Postdoc (f_m_x) in Hydrology 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 4.4 Hydrology (department “Geosystems”), we are looking for a:

Research Scientist / Postdoc (f_m_x) in Hydrology

Reference Number 10904

Helmholtz Solution Lab Rur Erft (SLRE)
In the frame of the Helmholtz "Water Safety and Security" campaign, the Solution Lab Rur Erft (SLRE) aims to develop solutions, engineering and nature-based, for coping with water extremes – both droughts and floods in the Rur and Erft basins. Thus, in the context of too much water, but often not enough, identifying solutions in front of the background of multiple sources of uncertainty represents a key challenge for future water safety and security, as well as climate change adaptation. The SLRE approach is based on developing digital twins used to simulate storylines and explore solution spaces in an interactive solution room, in close collaboration with partners at other Helmholtz Centres and regional stakeholders, through a co-design and transfer-by-design approach. Your responsibilities:

• Contribute to an iterative development of storylines in close cooperation with strakeholders
• Implement hydrologic and hydrodynamic models according to the storylines for the focus regions
• Contribute to the implementation of the models within a digital twin
• Engage in simulating various storyline scenarios and explore results with project partners and stakeholders
• Present and publish research results at scientific meetings and peer-reviewed journals

Your qualifications:

• A Master's Degree and a PhD (certificate available at the start of the work contract) in Hydrology, Environmental Sciences or related disciplines
• Demonstrated experience in the application of hydrological and hydrodynamic models for water resources research
• Solid understanding of the terrestrial water cycle, particularly of the flood risk system
• Experience in statistical data analysis, machine learning and AI-based modelling
• Experience in research software development and open-science workflows (e.g., Fortran, Python, Git)
• Publication record demonstrating independent research ability
• Fluency in English (written and oral)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

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