Location: Heidelberg/Germany

The Institute of Environmental Physics at Heidelberg University has two immediate openings for PhD positions (3 years):

A: Electromagnetic waves near soil surfaces (TDR, GPR, SAR, radiometry). Experimental and theoretical studies for improving the quantitative determination of soil water content at scales ranging from a few meters to many kilometers. The ideal candidate has a background in physics or geophysics with a very good diploma or master degree and is experienced in C++, Matlab, and Linux. Knowledge of high-frequency electromagnetic theory and related experimental methods is an advantage but not a prerequisite.

B: Prediction of soil water content. Numerically and theoretically study the feasibility to predict the water content in deeper soil layers from time series of near-surface measurements. Such data are produced by various remote sensing methods from air- and space-borne sensors and will be imported from other projects. Predicted depth profiles of soil water content are essential for a number of applications ranging from optimal usage of water resources in arid regions to weather prediction. The ideal candidate has a solid background in numerical methods (solution of partial differential equations, Kalman filter,…) and a very good diploma or master degree. A basic understanding of soil physics is advantageous, but not required.

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter, CV and the addresses and e-mail contacts of two referees to Prof. Kurt Roth kurt.roth@iup.uni-heidelberg.de or Dr. Ute Wollschläger ute.wollschlaeger@iup.uni-heidelberg.de , Institute of Environmental Physics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Review of applicants will start immediately and will continue until the positions are filled.

For further information on the Institute of Environmental Physics and our research projects please visit our website http://www.iup.uni-heidelberg.de or directly contact Kurt Roth or Ute Wollschläger.