PhD Position in Environmental Engineering - Role of Contaminants in Urban Infiltration Processes

PhD Position in Environmental Engineering – Role of Contaminants in Urban Infiltration Processes

About Us

The Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS) is an institution of the University of Stuttgart. We conduct innovative research related to the fate and transport of contaminants in the subsurface and develop remediation technologies. Our research is experiment‑based in the areas of groundwater flow, transport and reaction processes in porous media on various scales, from small‑scale laboratory experiments over large‑scale experiments to pilot sites.

About the Project

Urban infiltration of water plays a key role in adapting cities to extreme rainfall and drought events. While infiltration supports water management and climate resilience, it also links to water quality, as infiltrating water interacts with existing subsurface contamination and may itself introduce new contaminants.

This project aims to assess the impacts of infiltration on soil and groundwater quality. The research combines controlled laboratory experiments with mathematical modelling to improve the understanding of contaminant behaviour and to support the design of sustainable infiltration strategies in urban environments.

Your Responsibilities

• Conduct large‑scale laboratory experiments on contaminant migration in unsaturated soils.
• Analyze contaminant transport processes (sorption) using experiments and mathematical models.
• Transfer experimental findings to a contaminated pilot site.
• Collaborate with national and international project partners.
• Present results at conferences and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.

Your Profile

• M.Sc. degree in environmental engineering, geohydrology, environmental science/chemistry or a related field.
• Strong interest in contaminants of emerging concern and transport processes in the subsurface.
• Enthusiasm for experimental work; experience with laboratory or field methods is an advantage.
• Knowledge of numerical modelling and/or aqueous geochemistry is a plus.
• Experience with data‑analysis (e.g., Python).
• Proficient English (written and spoken).
• Team‑oriented, independent, and motivated.
• Very good German language skills are advantageous.
• 75 % position.
• A supportive, interdisciplinary research team.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratory and experimental infrastructure.
• Opportunity to join a structured doctoral program.

Application Procedure

Please apply until December 16th, 2025 via the career portal of the University of Stuttgart and submit your complete application, including:

• A brief description of your potential PhD thesis related to the project (1 page).
• CV with two references with their contact information listed.
• Certificates / transcripts.
• An electronic version of a research output (MSc diploma thesis, research report, proceedings paper or other scientific publication).

If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact us via

Equal Opportunity Statement

At the University of Stuttgart, we actively promote diversity among our employees. We have set ourselves the goal of recruiting more female scientists and employing more people with an international background, as well as people with disabilities. We are therefore particularly pleased to receive applications from such people. Regardless, we welcome any good application.

Women who apply will be given preferential consideration in areas in which they are underrepresented, provided they have the same aptitude, qualifications and professional performance. Severely disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be given priority.

As a certified family‑friendly university, we support the compatibility of work and family, and of professional and private life in general, through various flexible modules. We have an employee health management system that has won several awards and offer our employees a wide range of continuing education programs. We are consistently improving our accessibility. Our Welcome Center helps international scientists get started in Stuttgart. We support partners of new professors and managers with a dual‑career program.

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