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PhD Researcher (f/m/x) – Spatially compounding fire weather extremes across Europe in a changing climate

The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

The job

The Department of Compound Environmental Risks at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ studies compound weather events, which are combinations of multiple weather and climate drivers that cause most climate-related impacts.
Within this department, the Emmy Noether Research Group ‘Compound climate extremes’ is seeking a highly motivated PhD student at the earliest possible start date who will exploit large ensemble climate model simulations to advance our understanding of spatially compounding fire weather extremes.
The present PhD project will focus on spatially compounding fire-conducive weather extremes across multiple European countries in the context of climate change, with particular interest in future projections, associated uncertainties, storylines, and the potential for worst-case events.
The PhD student will have the opportunity to interact with team members working onlarge ensemble simulations, attribution studies, and impact modelling in the Department, which is a well-known hub of international scientists studying compound weather and climate events.

Your tasks

The PhD candidate will study co-occurring fire-conducive weather extremes across European countries in the context of climate change. By combining data from observations and (large ensemble) climate model simulations, the project will investigate projected changes in such extreme events, including potential for worst-case individual events, their physical drivers and uncertainites.
Specific tasks will include:

• Computing fire weather index from selected regional/global climate model simulations. 
• Analyse large dasets of climate data.
• Participate in the UFZ graduate school HIGRADE with options for targeted training.
• Publish the results in peer-reviewed papers and present them at national/international conferences.
• Collaborate with relevant project partners.

We offer

• Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
• The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
• Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
• Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

• A master degree in Physics, Data Science, Meteorology, Environmental Science, Earth System and Climate Sciences, Mathematics, or related fields. 
• Curiosity, self-motivation, enthusiasm for innovative scientific research, and willingness to solve complex scientific questions and challenges.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.Openness to scientific discussion, critical thinking, and constructive exchange of ideas.
• Programming skills (Python, R, bash, or similar). Experience with supercomputers or at least Linux systems and handling large datasets is advantageous.
• Experience in working with climate data.
• Experience with atmospheric physics or interest in understanding physical processes that cause weather/climate extremes.
• Experience with statistics (multivariate statistics is advantageous)
• Analytical skills and the capability to think “out-of-the box”. 
• Very good written and oral communication skills in English.

Please submit your application via our online portal with: 

• a cover letter: explaining your motivation to conduct a PhD and your interest in the announced PhD topic (optional: any job-related experience and applied methods you think important).
• a curriculum vitae (including degree grades)
• list of publications (if available)
• contact details of at least two references
• copies of certificates (high school/ B.Sc./ M.Sc.), and a transcript of all covered subjects and grades (B.Sc./ M.Sc.)

Place of work

Leipzig, Partial mobile working is possible in coordination with supervisor

Working time

75%

Contract limitations

limited contract / 36 months (The position can start from 01.06.2026, or later on individual case.)

Salary

Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.

Contact

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Emanuele Bevacqua (emanuele.bevacqua@ufz.de)

Your application

Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your photo, age, or marital status) and relevant attachments.

Application deadline: 05.04.2026

Diversity and Inclusion

The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity.
We look forward to applications from people who are open-minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.