The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for geosphere research. As a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres we are part of the largest scientific organization in Germany. With approximately 1,500 employees our key mission is to secure a profound understanding of the systems and processes of solid Earth, to develop strategies and options for action in addressing global change and its impacts on a regional level, to understand natural hazards and to minimize associated risks, to ensure the sustainable provision of energy and raw materials for a high-tech society and to evaluate the influence of human activity on system Earth.
For section 4.4 Hydrology (department “Geosystems”), we are looking for a:
PostDoc (f_m_x) – Impact based forecasting and damage modelling of flash floods
Reference Number 8142
The Section Hydrology at the GFZ searches for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work in the BMBF funded project “AVOSS – Impact-based forecasting of heavy rain and flash floods at different scales: potentials, uncertainties and limitations”.
We seek a postdoctoral research scientist with expertise in flood risk research, statistics, damage modelling and programming. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to work on flood damage data analyses and modelling with a focus on establishing an automatic modelling process.
The successful candidate should have the interest and ability to participate in collaborative and interdisciplinary research activities and discussions in the field of flood damage and risk modelling. The candidate is also expected to closely collaborate with external partners, and present, publish and communicate research results at scientific meetings and in scholarly journals.
Your responsibilities:
- Analyse flood damage data with machine learning and Bayesian approaches
- Develop and apply flood damage models for impact forecasting of floods
- Establish (semi-)automatic modelling processes
- Collaborate closely with project partners in an interdisciplinary context
- Present, publish and communicate research results at scientific meetings and in scholarly journals
Your qualifications:
- Master’s degree and PhD in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Geoinformatics or related fields
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge in flood risk research and application of statistical models
- Advanced programming skills (Python, R, …)
- Expertise in machine learning, Bayesian statistics is beneficial
- Capacity for interdisciplinary teamwork and excellent communication skills
- Ability to communicate in English fluently (German language command is helpful but not mandatory)
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 benefit@work
- Institute day-care centre on site
- Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
- Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Start date: 1st October 2023
Fixed-term: 1.5 years with the possibility of extension
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 27th August 2023. Please use our online application form only.
Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. 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. Anyone who has been recognized 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. If you have any questions, please contact our representative for the severely disabled at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz-potsdam.de.
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. Heidi Kreibich either via email at heidi.kreibich@gfz-potsdam.de or phone +49 (0)331-6264 1550. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.
