Postdoctoral researcher

About us

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

Your tasks

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 Niedersachsen. The cooperative project CoastAdapt aims to provide an answer to the following questions: How can the coast adapt to climate change in a sustainable, responsible and careful way? And how can the use and protection of natural resources be reconciled in the best possible way? The effects of climate change require constant adaptation measures at the coasts and they require different perspectives, experiences and cooperation between different disciplines to develop new solutions. CoastAdapt therefore 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. 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 salinisation 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(uni)) in earth or environmental sciences, water engineering, environmental modelling or an equivalent education with hydrological/hydrogeological components
• PhD in environmental sciences, 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 research 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.

Further information

The position is located in the project “CoastAdapt: Sustainable coastal protection for Niedersachsen".

Contact:

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Seibert beforehand, stephan.seibert@uni-oldenburg.de.