Doctoral Researcher (f_m_x) – Hydro-Geophysics

Role Overview
GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung is Germany's national centre for solid Earth research, part of the Helmholtz Association. The position is within section 4.4 "Hydrology" (department 4 “Geosystems”) and is part of the Research Unit “RING: Rotation in Physics, Geodesy, and Geophysics”, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The RING project aims to improve measurements with laser-optical instruments to observe changes in Earth rotation. This specific position is part of RING project P6, a joint effort of GFZ, the German Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The candidate will investigate hydrological dynamics in the surroundings of a ring laser at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell, operated by BKG. The goal is to assess if and how groundwater storage variations and soil moisture changes affect ring laser measurements through mass-attraction effects and due to tilts caused by surface deformation. The research will be based on hydrological and hydro-geophysical monitoring and hydrological modelling of water fluxes and storage variations at local and regional scales.

Responsibilities
- Deploy a hydro-geophysical monitoring system at the Wettzell observatory, including soil moisture sensors and transects for Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT).
- Derive spatial and temporal variations of water storage from new and existing sensor data.
- Implement a local physically-based hydrological model (preferably HYDRUS) to simulate water fluxes and storage dynamics in the surroundings of the ring laser.
- Adapt methods for modelling the hydrological mass attraction effect on tiltmeters that are co-located with the ring laser, and develop correction methods for these effects.
- Contribute to project activities and deliverables.
- Interpret, publish and present findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and workshops.

Requirements and Qualifications
Essential Qualifications:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in geophysics, geodesy, hydrology or related fields.
- Understanding of hydrological processes.
- Knowledge of environmental process models such as physically-based hydrological modelling (e.g., HYDRUS).
- Very good command of spoken and written English.
- Programming skills, preferably in Python.
- Excellent teamwork and communication skills for collaboration in an interdisciplinary environment.

Desirable Qualifications:
- Expertise with hydrological, geophysical or geodetic monitoring devices.
- Experience in potential field modelling with elementary bodies.
- Willingness to work in the field (adverse weather conditions included).
- Driver’s license.

What They 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 the 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.

Additional Details
- Start date: 1st November 2026
- Contract type: Fixed-term, 3.5 years
- Salary: Salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”, determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and respective personal qualifications.
- Working hours: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)
- Place of work: Potsdam