Postdoctoral Researcher (f_m_x) - Hydrology

Area of research

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description

GFZ is Germany's national centre for solid Earth research. We advance the understanding of dynamic processes to address global challenges, from mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and sustaining our habitat amid global change to responsibly managing georesources. We are part of the Helmholtz Association, the largest German scientific organisation. With around 1,200 employees as well as ca. 500 guest researchers, we contribute to the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment, aligning cutting-edge research with societal relevance and international collaboration. Our work integrates multidisciplinary studies across Earth's system components, leveraging advanced technologies and infrastructure to research solutions and to transfer our knowledge to society. We are doing this according to our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.

The section 4.4 Hydrology (department “Geosystems”) offers a Postdoc position focusing on “Hydrological connectivity of soil moisture and streamflow” in the framework of the Helmholtz Water Safety and Security Initiative: Reference Number 11039

This position is part of the project “Securing Terrestrial Water Cycles: the Helmholtz Solution Lab Elbe River Basin (SOLVE)”, funded by the Helmholtz Association. SOLVE brings together expertise from seven Helmholtz Centres and 10 stakeholder institutions to develop a science-based decision framework for the Elbe River catchment. The overarching goal is to identify and optimise water management practices that preserve or restore hydrological and biological connectivity. Work will be carried out in the Sub-Project HYDROCONNECT.

We are looking for a candidate to investigate the hydrological connectivity in the Elbe River basin by quantifying the relationship between the dynamics of soil moisture connectivity and streamflow response. This study will integrate satellite-, ground-, and simulation-based data on the landscape water balance with data analytics to understand how variations in connectivity influence hydrograph characteristics, e.g. flood peaks and drought recession. A key objective is to identify and predict gatekeepers, i.e., critical locations that dynamically link upstream areas to the drainage network. The position will interact closely with other partners in SOLVE, particularly in the Sub-Project HYDROCONNECT, where gravity-based terrestrial water storage observations will be integrated with isotopic tracer methods and geophysical monitoring, and coupled hydrological and groundwater modelling, combined with machine learning techniques, will quantify groundwater recharge and groundwater resilience.

Your responsibilities

• Analyse the dynamics of hydrological connectivity of soil moisture using gridded soil moisture data sets and data-driven approaches (e.g., complex network methods)
• Develop models to predict gatekeeper locations and their relationship to streamflow as a function of climate and landscape controls, using deep learning and explainable AI
• Communicate and discuss results with stakeholders to integrate the findings into water management practices
• Interpret, publish and present findings in peer-reviewed journals and workshops

Your qualifications

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) and a PhD in Hydrology, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Geosciences, Environmental Sciences, Physics or Mathematics (plus significant work experience in the field can also qualify)
• Understanding of hydrological processes
• Experience in statistics and data-driven modelling (e.g., machine learning), experience in working with large data sets
• Good programming skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Very good command of English
• Experience in writing scientific publications
• Knowledge of the German language is an asset

What we 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 our in-house Career-Centre
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by
• 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

Start date: 15th March 2026

Fixed-term: 31st December 2028

Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.

Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.

Place of work: Potsdam

Have we piqued your interest? If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 1st February 2026 .

Required documents

• CV (including scientific publication list as well as names and contact information of two referees)
• Letter of motivation
• Grades, transcripts and certificates for your master’s and PhD degree in a single document - if not available, a confirmation from your institution on completed degree by the application deadline

Please use our online application form only.

The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. We also promote an inclusive working environment in which everyone can fully develop their own talents. Anyone who has been recognised as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.

“Diversity in perspectives” is one of GFZ's core values. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. We among others do this through our gender equality plan and the cascade model measures which we actively implement to enable sustainable equal opportunities in academic career paths. The GFZ thus committedly strives for gender equality in science, including in leadership positions, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Dr. Theresa Blume via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) .

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.