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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 in line with our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.

For section 4.4 Hydrology (department “Geosystems”), we are looking for a:

PhD candidate (f_m_x) – Collection and analysis of data on households’ adaptation and flood risk

Reference Number 11218

In the section Hydrology, we are seeking a motivated and talented PhD candidate to work in the ERC Synergy Grant Project “LIMIT2ADAPT - When and where do we reach the limits of adaptation to riverine flood risk?”.

You have experience in machine learning, programming and flood risk research. If so, we encourage you to apply!

You will conduct household surveys in international case study areas, analyse the data and develop a global flood damage model. Your aim is to gain a better understanding of the factors influencing households’ adaptation decisions and how these decisions affect their physical vulnerability and flood risk. You have the interest and ability to participate in collaborative and interdisciplinary research activities and discussions in the field of adaptation and flood risk. You will closely collaborate with external partners, and present, publish and communicate research results at international conferences and in scholarly journals.

Your responsibilities:

• Organise and implement household surveys (partly longitudinal surveys) in at least two of the following case study areas (Rhine, Mekong, Pungwe, Upper Mississippi)
• Combine the new survey data with data from past surveys, analyse the data using machine learning approaches and develop a global flood damage model
• Establish (semi-)automatic processes for analysing survey data, including writing well-documented, reusable code (Python or R)
• Collaborate closely with project partners in an interdisciplinary context
• Present, publish and communicate research results at scientific meetings, conferences, and in scholarly journals
• Undertake a PhD study at Humboldt University Berlin
• Deliver according to the project timelines and university/department requirements

About You:

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography, Engineering, Geoinformatics or related fields
• Understanding of flood risk system: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability
• Programming skills (Python, R)
• Capacity for interdisciplinary teamwork and excellent communication skills
• Ability to communicate in English fluently

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with surveys or survey data analyses is beneficial
• Expertise in machine learning and Bayesian statistics is beneficial

Start date: 1st July 2026
Fixed-term: 3 Jahre
Salary: Die Stelle ist nach TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost) mit der Entgeltgruppe 13 bewertet. Die Eingruppierung erfolgt nach den tariflichen Bestimmungen und den entsprechenden persönlichen Voraussetzungen.
Working hours: Teilzeit 75% (derzeit 29,25 h/Woche)
Place of work: Potsdam

What we offer:

• Work on a scientifically exciting, socially highly relevant, and globally visible ERC Synergy Grant project
• Collaborate with leading scientists and their research groups
• Take on ambitious and diverse tasks in a dynamic, 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

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 10th May 2026. Please use our online application form only.

Required documents:

• CV (including names and contact information of two referees)
• Letter of motivation
• Grades, transcripts and certificates for your master's degree in a single document - if not available, a confirmation from your institution on the completed degree by the application deadline

The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. We also promote an inclusive working environment in which everyone can fully develop their own talents. Anyone who has been recognised as severely disabled will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. If you have any further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.

“Diversity in perspectives” is one of GFZ's core values. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. We, among others, do this through our gender equality plan and the cascade modelmeasures, which we actively implement to enable sustainable equal opportunities in academic career paths. The GFZ thus committedly strives for gender equality in science, including in leadership positions, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Data protection information for applicants.

In case of any further queries regarding the field of activity, please contact PD Dr. Heidi Kreibich via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.