© HZDR/Frank Schinski

Through cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) solves some of the pressing societal and industrial challenges of our time. Join our 1.500 employees from more than 50 nations at one of our six research sites and help us moving research to the next level!

The Institute of Resource Ecology performs research to protect humans and the environment from hazards caused by pollutants resulting from technical processes that produce energy and raw materials.

Detailed information can be found here: www.hzdr.de

As part of the Institute, the Department of Thermodynamics of Actinides invites applications as

PhD student (f/m/d) Reactive Transport Models: Uncertainty and Geostatistics

The position will be available from 1 April 2023. The employment contract is limited to three years. The place of work is Dresden-Rossendorf. The working time amounts to 19,5 h/week.

Your tasks:

The aim is to investigate the influence of uncertainties in parameterization (field data and intrinsic material data) on large-scale modeling of contaminant transport. The focus is on spatial lithological heterogeneities, their capture and efficient consideration in reactive transport codes, especially with respect to contaminant retention by sorption, precipitation and incorporation. A workflow will be developed to support the safety case for a deep geological repository for radioactive waste in Germany by incorporating geostatistical methods into transport modeling. Expertise in mineralogy, geostatistics or geochemistry that is lacking at the start is imparted in the project. Results are presented in international journals and at conferences. Partners in the BMUV-funded joint project SANGUR are the TU Clausthal and ÚJV Řež from the Czech Republic.

Your profile:

  • Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of Geosciences, Applied Mathematics, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field
  • In-depth knowledge of one of the following three areas: Mineralogy, Geostatistics, Geochemistry
  • Experience in the use of mathematical-statistical methods to evaluate measured data
  • Interest in programming and in geochemical databases and modeling codes
  • Structured and solution-oriented work, analytical thinking and strong commitment
  • Good communication skills in written and spoken German and English
  • Ability for interdisciplinary research and collaboration

Our offer:

  • A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
  • Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
  • A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities – more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here
  • The employment contract is limited to three years
  • Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
  • We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment and flexible working hours
  • Numerous company health management offerings
  • An employer subsidy for the VVO job ticket

Kindly submit your completed application (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/​transcripts, etc.) only via our online application system.