PhD position within the Excellence Cluster "Climate, Climate Change, and Society" (CLICCS)

Overview

PhD position within the Excellence Cluster "Climate, Climate Change, and Society" (CLICCS)

Employer

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon conducts cutting-edge international research for a changing world: Around 1,000 employees contribute to the tackling of climate change, the sustainable use of the world's coastal systems and the resource-compatible enhancement of the quality of life. From fundamental research to practical applications, the interdisciplinary research spectrum covers a unique range.

Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology (GMPV)
Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems (GI)

Type

Contract

Level

Entry level

Open

Preferred education

Master

22 February 2026

Posted

27 January 2026

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon conducts cutting-edge international research for a changing world: Around 1,000 employees contribute to the tackling of climate change, the sustainable use of the world's coastal systems and the resource-compatible enhancement of the quality of life. From fundamental research to practical applications, the interdisciplinary research spectrum covers a unique range.

PhD position within the Excellence Cluster "Climate, Climate Change, and Society" (CLICCS)

JoblD: 951 – 2026/KS 1
Work location: Geesthacht
Application deadline: February 22nd, 2026

The Institute of Coastal Systems, a multidisciplinary institute for Coastal Research and regional system modelling located in Geesthacht, near Hamburg, Germany, is seeking a curious and driven Ph.D. candidate to develop and investigate riverine matter transport within the scope of Earth System Modelling.

The Cluster of Excellence "Climate, Climatic Change, and Society" (CLICCS) investigates climate dynamics and climate-related social dynamics, as well as the interactions between the two. To this end, we are looking for colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, including the natural sciences as well as the social sciences. We are proud to work together in a truly integrating manner. Our partners, e.g. University of Hamburg, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology or the German Climate Computing Centre are also hiring. All jobs:

The envisaged start of the Ph.D. position is April 1st, 2026 and is initially limited to three years. Successful applicants will join the department Regional Land and Atmosphere Modelling within the Institute of Coastal Systems – System Analysis and Modelling at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.

The advertised position is part of the research project M4 – Earth system feedbacks in the land-ocean continuum within the 2nd phase of CLICCS ( ). In CLICCS-M4, we are further developing the unique ICON-Coast model within the ICON Earth System Modelling Framework. The objective of this PhD position is to incorporate advanced dynamics of land-ocean coupling into this framework. Specifically, the Hydrological Discharge (HD) model simulating river runoff shall be extended with formulations representing riverine matter transport, erosion and accretion. This will close a significant gap in the representation of matter transport within Earth system models. The matter loads entering the ocean are an important factor in sedimentation and morphological processes in the coastal ocean. Using the developed extension, the Ph.D. candidate will be able to evaluate and investigate various aspects of current and future riverine matter transport.

• Master's or comparable degree in meteorology, physics, geosciences or related field
• excellent programming skills (preferably in FORTRAN or Python)
• interest in interdisciplinary climate and coastal research

Responsibilities

The PhD candidate will develop and investigate riverine matter transport within the scope of Earth System Modelling, and incorporate advanced dynamics of land-ocean coupling into the ICON-Earth System Modelling Framework. Specific tasks include extending the Hydrological Discharge model with formulations representing riverine matter transport, erosion and accretion, and evaluating matter transport in current and future riverine systems for coastal oceans.

Qualifications

• Master's or comparable degree in meteorology, physics, geosciences or related field
• excellent programming skills (preferably in FORTRAN or Python)
• interest in interdisciplinary climate and coastal research

Benefits

• an exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• a well-connected research campus (public transport) and best networking opportunities, subsidy for the Deutschlandticket if certain conditions are met (job ticket)
• individual opportunities for further training
• social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to pay group 13 according to TV EntgO Bund
• an excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year\'s Day
• very good compatibility private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work
• PhD Buddy Program
• family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e.g. nursery close to the company
• free assistance program for employees (EAP)
• a varied offer in the canteen on campus

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

Interested?

Then we are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application documents (cover letter, CV, transcripts, certificates, etc.) indicating the reference number 2026/KS 1 until 22nd February 2026.