Job description

The selected candidate will be employed as a Doctoral Candidate / Early Stage Researcher.

The Doctoral Candidate (DC) will be located and employed at the University of Bremen (Germany). The candidate will be enrolled and become a member of the Department of Geosciences at the University of Bremen (Germany) as the purpose of the DC project is research and training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

Project description

This PhD project aims to develop novel hydrogeophysical methods for improved estimation of groundwater recharge rates, crucial for managing groundwater resources under increasing stress from abstraction and climate change. The project will combine geoelectrical monitoring, hydrological modelling, and machine learning to overcome current uncertainties in recharge estimation.

Key aspects include:

• Developing a new hydrogeophysical inversion approach combining deterministic and geostatistical methods to estimate hydraulic conductivity and recharge.
• Implementing and comparing various machine learning approaches for tracking infiltration fronts and for estimating infiltration dynamics from resistance measurements.
• Comparing the accuracy and computational cost of different approaches using synthetic models, laboratory experiments, and field data.

The project will deliver innovative hydrogeophysical parameter estimation techniques specifically designed to provide spatially resolved groundwater recharge rates, essential for effective management of aquifer recharge facilities.

Requirements

• Completed academic university degree (Master's/University Diploma) in Geophysics, Hydrology, Earth Sciences, Geoinformatics, or related fields
• Applicants who are in the final phase of their Master's degree programme will also be considered. Please note that the submission of a Master's degree certificate is mandatory for employment.
• Fundamental knowledge of geophysics and hydrology (data sciences would be advantageous)
• Skills in scientific computing (in Python, Matlab, Julia, …), as well as in data visualisation would be advantageous
• Outstanding drafting and presentation skills, with an eye for detail
• Applicants should have very good written and oral English skills and enjoy working in an international and interdisciplinary team.

 

General Information

The Faculty of Geosciences offers an excellent working atmosphere, direct involvement in international research and attractive facilities.

We offer you, among other things:

• Annual special payment (‘Christmas bonus’), regular automatic salary increases in line with collective agreements and additional public service pension scheme (VBL)
• A crisis-proof, interesting and varied job in an open-minded university
• 30 days' holiday per calendar year and educational leave
• A diverse, future-orientated and open corporate culture
• Support from a collegial, motivated team with a positive working atmosphere
• Personalised induction training
• The opportunity for further and advanced training
• Compatibility of family and career through flexible working hours (flexitime) and the option of mobile working (subject to the general conditions)
• Free social and family counselling services
• Active company health management, including the option of discounts at local sports clubs, gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The option of using a job ticket for local public transport
• Numerous sports and cultural activities
• Varied catering options in the student union canteens

 

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad range of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research-based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue international scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership.

 

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are firmly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to dare new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe and in the world.

 

The university is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply. Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same.

 

For questions of the research project, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Uhlemann, e-mail: suhlemannprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de

Please send your application documents (cover letter detailing your research interests, CV, and copy of your degree certificates) until April 30, 2025 by indicating the job id A143-25 as a single PDF file via e-mail to martinabprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de

or by post to

University of Bremen
Faculty 5 – Geosciences
Office Prof. Dr. Sebastian Uhlemann
Ms. Martina Braun
Postbox 330 440
28334 Bremen
Germany

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed .

Any application costs cannot be reimbursed.