The Chair of Environmental Hydrological Systems at the University of Freiburg offers a 3-year PhD position on the topic “Impact of floods and droughts on water quality”. Starting date is May 1, 2025. PhD position (m/f/a) on the topic “impact of floods and droughts on water quality”
- Bewerbungsfrist: 9. März 2025
- Veröffentlichungsdatum: 14. Februar 2025
- Eintrittstermin: 1. Mai 2025
- Arbeitsumfang: Part-time position (75 %)
- Kennziffer: 00004201
Beschreibung
Clean water is essential for the health of both people and ecosystems. However, the quality of stream water is affected by complex influencing factors. In addition to the ongoing point sources and diffuse input of various pollutants, hydro-meteorological conditions can considerably affect water quality. Recent studies, particularly in connection with the recent drought events, show a deterioration in water quality. On the other hand, floods, such as those in northern Germany at the beginning of 2024, can mobilize particularly high pollutant loads and transport them downstream into lakes and the sea. Given climate change and the associated increase in extreme events, these factors will increasingly influence water quality.
High-frequency water quality data (i.e., solute concentrations at intra-daily time steps) are crucial for investigating the often short-term changes in water quality driven by variable hydro-meteorological conditions. Such data have, so far, only been analyzed in individual or small numbers of catchments. However, a comparison across various catchments is essential to identify generalizable patterns and to understand the underlying processes and the associated risks for both the environment and society. The DFG-funded project (HighWay) is based on a database of high-frequency concentrations of different solutes in over 70 catchments in Germany. This database will be consolidated and expanded to investigate the impacts of droughts and floods. The aim of the project is to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of hydro-meteorological conditions on water quality and thus be better prepared for potential threats from climate change.
The tasks include:
- Analyzing changes in water quality during and after hydrological droughts,
- Analyzing changes in water quality during and after runoff events,
- Developing recommendations for the use and quality of high-frequency data across multiple catchments,
- Managing large datasets, documentation, and publication,
- Communicating with state offices and authorities,
- Engaging in the organization of project meetings and events,
- Preparing research reports, presenting results at scientific conferences, and publishing in international journals.
Requirements:
- High motivation for scientific work with the aim of completing a PhD,
- A Master’s degree in Hydrology or a related field in Environmental Sciences/Geography with a hydrological focus,
- Very good knowledge of R, Python, or a comparable programming language,
- Experience in data analysis using statistical methods as well as in data visualization,
- Solid knowledge of data management and handling large datasets,
- Excellent English skills (both oral and written)
- Knowledge of German (or a willingness to learn) is beneficial to enhance the experience of living and working in Germany.
- Initiative, teamwork, and strong social competence.
We offer:
- Engaging and diverse work on an exciting and highly relevant research topic within a motivated and dynamic team, providing support and strong collaboration.
- A flexible working environment with the possibility of occasionally working from home, as well as a fixed workplace and regular personal exchange,
- Excellent networking opportunities within the well-established Hydrological Chairs in Freiburg, as well as at the partner institutions of the project, namely the Christian-Albrecht-University Kiel, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, and the Federal Environment Agency,
- Opportunities for exchange at international and national conferences,
- Support and ongoing training opportunities through the Graduate School of the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources with a qualification program accompanying the PhD. Additionally, the Graduate Center of the University (GraCe) offers interdisciplinary support and up to 80 courses annually to create optimal conditions for completing a doctorate,
- Optional involvement in university teaching.
The city of Freiburg, surrounded by the Black Forest and the Kaiserstuhl, offers not only a very high quality of life but is also a renowned location for hydrological research.
Salary is the German standard for doctoral candidates in the field (TV-L E13, 75% scientist salary). Please apply online by no later than March 9, 2025. The application should be a single merged PDF file including a letter of motivation, a CV, scientific publications (if available), academic transcripts (non-official copies are initially acceptable), and contact details of at least two academic referees.
For inquiries, please feel free to contact Dr. Carolin Winter via email: (carolin.winter@hydrology.uni-freiburg.de).
The position is limited to 30. April 2028. The salary will be determined in accordance with TV-L E13.
Bewerbung
Please send your application including supporting documents mentioned above citing the reference number 00004201, by 9. März 2025 at the latest. Please send your application to the following address in written or electronic form:Universität Freiburg Professur für Umwelthydrosysteme Friedrichstraße 39 D-79098 Freiburg
For further information, please contact Dr. Carolin Winter on the phone number +49 761 203-3509 or E-Mail carolin.winter@hydrology.uni-freiburg.de.
