Job description
Waterways are complex aquatic systems. The Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), located within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV), contributes to making them sustainable and efficient. As the federal scientific institute for research, assessment, and consultation in the fields of hydrology, water use, water quality, ecology, and water protection, it advises the BMDV, other federal ministries, the Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV), and third parties. At the BfG, dedicated individuals from various disciplines work in a modern equipped working environment.
The Federal Institute of Hydrology is part of a career network spanning 357,582 km², comprising over 40 authorities with approximately 24,000 employees. More information at https://www.damit-alles-läuft.de
The Federal Institute of Hydrology is looking for a candidate for the Department G1 “Fundamental Matters in Qualitative Water Management” starting from August 1, 2024.
Head of the Department of Fundamental Matters in Qualitative Water Management (University Diploma, Master’s degree) (m/w/d)
Disciplines: Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Hydrogeology, Geoecology, or an equivalent degree.
The Department G1 is tasked with steering, coordinating, and documenting WSV projects related to qualitative water management and hydrology on behalf of the BfG. This includes construction and maintenance measures, land disposal of dredged material, as well as actions to address legacy pollution issues. The department produces fundamental and specialized contributions to evidence collection measures and monitoring concepts, sediment management plans, and disposal concepts for aquatic and terrestrial dredged material, both for inland and coastal waters.
Furthermore, the department focuses on the development and updating of national and international guidelines for dredged material management to support the BMDV and WSV for instance, in consensus arrangements on management plans and action programs under the EU Water Framework Directive and EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. G1 also takes the lead in producing specialized contributions for relevant regulatory areas outside the BMDV (e.g., waste, landfills). This includes the investigation of legacy sites and accompanying remediation considering qualitative aspects, as well as specialized contributions/risk assessment for approval procedures (UVU, URE), and dredged material transport concepts. Finally, G1 serves as an expert and chief expert for the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) on fundamental and individual questions regarding hydrogeology and water management within the framework of approval procedures and environmental construction supervision.
Another focus lies in the further development, updating, and adaptation of models for the transport and behavior of dissolved and solid-bound pollutants in rivers and estuaries. Sorption processes play a crucial role here. Therefore, it is essential to better understand and predict sorption and desorption on suspended matter, soil, and sediment particles.
The place of employment is Koblenz.
Reference code of the job posting 20241306
For this, we need you:
- Leading the Department G1 with over 20 highly motivated staff members
- Developing/updating national and international guidelines for aquatic and terrestrial dredged material management for BMDV and WSV
- Investigating legacy sites and providing remediation support considering qualitative aspects, as well as specialized contributions/risk assessment for approval procedures (UVU, URE), and dredged material transport concepts
- Modeling the transport and behavior of dissolved and solid-bound pollutants in rivers, estuaries, and during groundwater passage
- Expanding the understanding of interactions between surface water and groundwater along federal waterways
- Improving the understanding of sorption of organic and inorganic pollutants on solids in inland and estuarine areas
- Applying for and carrying out research projects (e.g., BMBF, EU)
Your profile:
- These are the qualifications you should definitely possess:
- Completed university degree (University Diploma, Master’s) in the fields of Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Hydrogeology, Geoecology, or equivalent qualification
That would be desirable:
- Good knowledge in personnel management
- High social competence
- Longstanding experience in the field of qualitative water management
- Experience in leading national and international working groups
- Experience in modeling the sorption of organic and inorganic substances on solids
- Experience in laboratory studies to enhance the understanding of sorption processes of organic and inorganic pollutants
- Experience in elucidating the interaction of pollutants in soil and groundwater
- Experience with national and international research projects
- Excellent command of the German and English language, both written and spoken
- Representative demeanor and assertiveness
- High social competence
Areas of Research
- Environmental Chemistry
- Hydrology
- Water Science & Engineering
