Postdoctoral Researcher (f_m_x) - Hydrology

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:

Postdoctoral Researcher (f_m_x) – Hydrology

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 benefit@work
• 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: 15^th March 2026
Fixed-term: 31^st 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 1^st 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.