The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 21.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences.
At the University of Kassel, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute for Water, Waste, Environment, Chair of Hydrology and Substance Balance (Prof. Dr. Matthias Gassmann), the following position is, subject to the availability of funding, available as soon as possible:
Research Assistant (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H, limited term, part-time (currently 30 hours per week)
| Application deadline: | 14.10.2025 |
| Date of hire: | as soon as possible |
| vacancy number: | 38746 |
Part-time position with 75 percent of the regular working hours of a full-time employee. The position is fixed-term for three and a half year in accordance with § 2 (2) WissZeitVG as part of the newly funded collaborative project “ADAPT – Adaptation to Drought and Extremes: The Surface-Soil-Groundwater Buffer under Climate Stress”. The opportunity of obtaining a doctoral degree is givin.
ADAPT is an interdisciplinary collaborative research project dedicated to quantifying and evaluating adaptation measures to climate change-induced hydrological extremes. In particular, the use of treated wastewater for irrigation and rainwater retention in the landscape are being investigated. In this sub-project, laboratory experiments and multi-scale simulations will be combined to investigate the influence of adaptation measures on pollutant levels (e.g. pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, pesticides) in soils and rivers, as well as on the water balance of catchments. The project is expected to start in February 2026.
Tasks:
- Analysis (not laboratory analytics) of the transfer of micropollutants originating from wastewater in laboratory soil columns under climate stress
- Simulation of the leaching of micropollutants in soils
- Simulation of the effects of using wastewater for irrigation on water quantities and quality in river catchments
- Close cooperation with other PhD students involved in the project
- Publication of research results in international journals
- Participation in project-related seminars and workshops as well as international conferences with the presentation of own results
Requirements:
- Completed course of academic study (Master degree) in environmental engineering, hydrology, soil sciences, environmental sciences or related fields. The required degree must be available by the recruitment date at the latest.
- Basic knowledge of catchment hydrology, soil science and the environmental fate of pollutants
- Knowledge of modelling pollutants fate and water flows
- Very good written and spoken skill of English language
- Interest in doing a PhD
Advantageous qualifications:
- Experience in field sampling and laboratory experiments
- Attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, scientifically rigorous results.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate effective collaboration with international partners.
Applicants are requested to submit a single PDF file containing:
Your motivation for applying to the position and your research interests (max. 1 page)
Curriculum vitae
Copy of transcript(s)
For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Matthias Gassmann. Tel: +49 561 804 3462, Email: gassmann(at)uni-kassel.de
In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.
Our Offer:
As an employee of the University of Kassel
- you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
- you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
- you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
- is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.
In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:
- an additional company pension (VBL),
- an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
- an annual bonus
- an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
- a promotion of voluntary commitment,
- low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management
You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de
Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you in our FAQ.
In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form addressed to: The President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany, or via mail to bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel.de, stating the reference number.
In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data protection regulations.
The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.
Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found at:
www.uni-kassel.de/go/ausschreibung-datenschutz
Information and FAQ about applying for a job offer:
The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions). Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.
