Senior Post-Doctoral Position (m/f/d) – Akademischer Rat auf Zeit

The Chair of Hydrology at the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, University of Bayreuth, Germany, invites applications for a Senior Post-Doctoral Position (m/f/d)(Akademischer Rat auf Zeit) in Hydrology.

The full‑time position is initially offered for three years, with the possibility of extension for up to three additional years after evaluation, starting 1st October 2026.

The position focuses on field‑based research on hydrological and hydroclimatic processes under environmental change, with a particular emphasis on extreme events, variability in water availability, land use impacts, and resulting hydrological and water‑quality responses across scales. Key research themes include event‑scale hydrological processes, solute and nutrient transport, hydrological connectivity, land‑use effects, and catchment responses to climatic extremes, as well as the integration of field observations with conceptual, data‑driven, and/or modelling approaches.

The Chair is part of the Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), an interdisciplinary research environment comprising more than 60 senior researchers and postdoctoral scientists.

The successful candidate is expected to develop an independent research and teaching profile, with the opportunity to pursue habilitation at the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences. Responsibilities include publishing high‑quality scientific research, contributing to the development of competitive research proposals, teaching B.Sc. and M.Sc. courses in Geoecology (5 hours per week) in German and/or English, supervising student theses, and supporting the coordination of research and teaching activities within the group.

The position includes responsibility for key field infrastructures, notably the development and establishment of a mobile, trailer‑based field laboratory as well as the scientific leadership of the Limnological Station of the Chair of Hydrology. These infrastructures support flexible, site‑independent, and event‑driven field research with high temporal resolution and their integration into teaching and collaborative research projects. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping their scientific use within their research program.

Candidate’s qualifications

Applicants must hold a doctoral or PhD degree in hydrology, geoecology, environmental sciences, or a related field.
They should have a strong background in field‑based, process‑oriented hydrological research.
Experience in designing, conducting and analyzing experimental field and laboratory research.
A solid publication record appropriate to career stage.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required (German language skills are desirable).
The candidate should demonstrate clear potential for independent research and teaching and show strong motivation for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Position status and benefits

The position is offered either as a civil servant position (Akademischer Rat auf Zeit, A13) or under TV‑L E13, in accordance with the Bavarian University Personnel Act.

The University of Bayreuth provides an excellent health and family‑support program, flexible working arrangements, and diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Relocation costs may be covered under certain conditions. The University values diversity and gender equality; female scientists are particularly encouraged to apply, and candidates with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration in cases of equal qualification.

Application process

Please submit your application online via the University of Bayreuth application portal, quoting the password “Hydrology”, by 15 June 2026. Required documents include a CV, list of publications and teaching experience, a statement of research interests, and contact details for three references. Application documents will be deleted after completion of the selection process in accordance with data protection regulations.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Julia Knapp:

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