Postdoctoral researcher / Hydrogeologist

About us

A postdoctoral researcher position is available at the earliest possible date within the project “CoastAdapt: Sustainable coastal protection for Niedersachsen" at Faculty V, Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences (IBU), Research Group Hydrogeology and Landscape Hydrology.

The research group Hydrogeology and Landscape Hydrology investigates hydraulic and hydrochemical processes in the aquatic environment, in particular the interaction between surface water and ground-water, coastal hydrogeology, the role of water in ecosystems as well as the behaviour of pollutants in groundwater.

Sea levels are rising faster due to climate change, affecting coastal landscapes around the world. This development also poses enormous challenges for the 750-kilometre-long North Sea coast of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen). The effects of climate change require constant adaptation measures at the coasts and need different perspectives, experiences and cooperation between different disciplines to develop new solutions. The cooperative project CoastAdapt investigates coastal adaption in view of climate change. It brings together experts from coastal engineering and coastal research, linking the Universities Oldenburg, Hannover and Braunschweig with coastal authorities and associations in Nie­dersachsen. Besides joint research, the consortium will explore the possibility of a joint Sustainable Coastal Engineering and Science master programme. The project is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and the Niedersachsen Ministry for Science and Culture (MWK) and led by the Technische Uni­versität Braunschweig.

Your tasks

Within CoastAdapt, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to carry out large-scale variable density groundwater flow and transport modelling to study past and future groundwater salinization in Northwest Germany. Moreover, the post-doc will be involved in the conceptualisation and implementation of joint teaching activities such as joint summer and winter schools and, if possible, a master programme.

Your profile

Essential requirements:

• University degree (Master or Diploma) in earth or environmental sciences, water engineering, environmental modelling or an equivalent education with hydrological/hydrogeological components
• PhD in environmental sciences or similar, ideally with a focus on hydrogeology
• A very good understanding of groundwater flow and transport processes, including variable density numerical modelling, as well as experience with classical hydrogeological methodologies demonstrated by a strong publication record in peer-reviewed international journals
• Ability to work under limited supervision and adapt to changing circumstances in order to prioritise and address problems in a constructive professional manner
• Excellent communication and organisational skills and a strong interest in collaborative re-search and teaching

Strongly desirable:

• Experience with SEAWAT density-dependent groundwater flow modelling
• Programming skills in scripting languages, preferably Python and/or Matlab
• Experience in teaching as well as the conceptualisation and organisation of teaching programmes

Our standards

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.