Research Associate (m/f/d)
Institute for Geo-Hydroinformatics
Remuneration: EG 13 TV-L
ID: 27726WB9
Start of employment: 01.01.2027
Application deadline: 18.11.2026
Scope: full time and fixed term until 31.12.2030
The Institute of Geo-Hydroinformatics at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate groundwater dynamics and their interactions with land, climate, and environmental systems at regional to global scales. Groundwater is a critical component of the Earth system, supporting ecosystems, agriculture, and water security while interacting with land-surface and atmospheric processes. Increasing groundwater abstraction and climate pressure are, however, driving substantial changes in groundwater resources worldwide, with potentially far-reaching environmental consequences.
The successful candidate will develop and apply advanced modeling and data-driven approaches to investigate groundwater variability and depletion and how these changes propagate through the terrestrial system. Potential research directions include interactions with land subsidence, soil moisture and evapotranspiration, vegetation dynamics, land-surface temperature, hydroclimatic extremes, and land degradation. The project will leverage artificial intelligence, satellite Earth Observation, global datasets, geospatial analysis, and environmental modeling to identify patterns, interactions, and potential critical thresholds in coupled groundwater–land–climate systems.
YOUR TASKS
- Develop AI, data-driven, and environmental models to quantify groundwater–land–climate interactions and cascading impacts
- Utilize satellite Earth Observation, global datasets, and big-data analytics to assess environmental changes
- Publish research in leading peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific meetings and conferences
- Contribute to teaching and assist with other tasks as assigned by the Head of the Institute
- Collaborate with other universities and institutes through research visits
YOUR PROFILE
Requirements
Completed scientific university studies (masters degree or equivalent), in particular environmental engineering, civil engineering, hydrology, ecohydrology, fluid mechanics, or a related field
Desired knowledge and personal skills
- Proven experience in large-scale modeling, big data analytics, and satellite remote sensing
- Excellent communication skills in English (both oral and written)
- Commitment to international collaboration, teamwork, and student supervision, if required
OUR OFFER
- Opportunity to obtain academic qualifications in the form of doctorate/opportunity for further academic qualification
- 30 day vacation per year (5-days a week)
- Good public transport connections
- Company pension scheme, capital-forming benefits
- Internal offers for health promotion and special conditions in gyms
At the heart of TU Hamburg’s research, teaching and transfer of technology is the guiding principle of developing technology for people. The TU Hamburg sees itself in this context as a family-friendly and sustainable university with high performance and quality standards that strives for excellence in all its research fields. Interdisciplinarity, innovation, regionality and internationality are binding principles in our actions.
With currently around 8.000 students, 110 professors and 1.650 employees, the TU Hamburg is characterised by short decision-making processes and close cooperation between the board, the institutes, the deans of studies, the research areas and the administration. We identify ourselves with a modern leadership culture and cultivate appreciative interaction.
For further information please contact Eva Bayley, Phone: +49 40 30601 2871.
