Research Assistant in Hydrogeology / Groundwater Flow and Transport Modelling on Catchment-Scale (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H, limited-term, part-time (currently 30 hours per week)

Part-time position with 75 percent of the regular working hours of a full-time employee. The position is fixed-term for three and a half years in accordance with § 2 (2) WissZeitVG as part of the newly funded collaborative project “ADAPT - Adaptation to Drought and Extremes: The Surface-Soil-Groundwater Buffer under Climate Stress”. The opportunity of obtaining a doctoral degree in the field of environmental engineering is given.

The research initiative ADAPT (“Adaptation to Drought and Extremes: The Surface–Soil–Groundwater Buffer under Climate Stress”), funded by the State of Hesse within the LOEWE program, explores how water systems can be adapted to increasing climate extremes such as prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall. The project investigates strategies including treated wastewater reuse, improved water retention in aquifers and surface waters, and the assessment of risks from micropollutants in the surface–soil–groundwater continuum.

We invite applications for a position as a researcher in hydrogeology at the University of Kassel (Germany) to investigate the impacts of climate extremes and irrigation with treated wastewater on groundwater recharge, storage, and quality. Within this subproject, supervised by Dr. Lysander Bresinsky and Prof. Dr. Adrian Mellage, the focus will be on the development and application of numerical groundwater models (2D and 3D, HydroGeoSphere) to simulate flow and transport processes in fractured and porous aquifers. Monitoring data, isotope-based groundwater age estimates, and soil and aquifer parameters will be integrated to examine the role of deep vadose zones as storage reservoirs and potential long-term sources of micropollutants, and to enable ensemble predictions under different climate scenarios.

By combining field data, high-resolution climate projections, and advanced numerical modelling, this project will contribute to the development of sustainable groundwater management strategies under future climatic and anthropogenic pressures.

Tasks:

• Development and application of physically based 2D and 3D groundwater models (HydroGeoSphere) to investigate groundwater recharge, storage, and transport dynamics in fractured and porous aquifers at the catchment scale.
• Calibration of models using monitoring data, isotope measurements, and field parameters in close collaboration with soil science, hydrology, and microbiology teams.
• Quantification of contaminant pathways in deep vadose zones and assessment of adaptation measures such as managed aquifer recharge and infiltration enhancement.
• Implementation of ensemble predictions to systematically analyze structural model uncertainties and improve forecasting accuracy under climate change conditions.

Requirements:

• Applicants must hold a completed course of academic study (master‘s degree or equivalent) in hydrogeology, geosciences, environmental engineering, or a related discipline. The required degree must be available by the recruitment date at the latest.
• Very good command of English, both written and spoken

Advantageous qualifications:

• Solid understanding of hydrogeology and flow processes in the unsaturated zone
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in numerical modeling and programming, as well as in handling spatial geodata.

Applicants are requested to submit a single PDF file containing:

Your motivation for applying to the position and your research interests (max. 1 page, written in English)

Curriculum vitae (written in English)

Copy of transcript(s)

References are desirable

For further information please contact Dr. Lysander Bresinsky (email: l.bresinsky(at)uni-kassel.de).

In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.

Our Offer:

As an employee of the University of Kassel

• you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
• you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
• you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
• is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.

In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:

• an additional company pension (VBL),
• an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
• an annual bonus
• an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
• a promotion of voluntary commitment,
• low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management

You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de

Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you in our FAQ.

In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form addressed to: The President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany, or via mail to bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel.de, stating the reference number.

In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data protection regulations.

The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.

Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found at:
www.uni-kassel.de/go/ausschreibung-datenschutz

Information and FAQ about applying for a job offer:

https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/universitaet/stellenangebote/hinweise-und-faq-zur-bewerbung-auf-ein-stellenangebot

The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions). Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.