We are looking to hiring a postdoctoral research scientist to study the role of subsurface water flow in landscape evolution at timescales of ca. 10 kyr to several Myrs. The specific research targets are open but could be the ways groundwater can promote or hinder river capture; the effect of lithologies of variable permeability for relief evolution; the role of subsurface flow in stabilizing closed basins in mountains; or the effect of non-uniform permeability in three-dimensionally resolved bedrock. The researcher would be tasked with the development or adaptation of a groundwater model and its integration in a landscape evolution framework (CHONK, Gailleton et al., in prep.). The exact objectives of the project will be defined together with the successful candidate. Depending on their skills and interests, the work could focus more on numerical development and improvement of models, or more on more fundamental hydrogeological work necessary for the integration of groundwater and surface process models.

We also welcome and support the development of outreach activities using numerical models of landscape evolution as part of the postdoctoral project if the successful candidate is interested.

The successful candidate should have the vision and ability to participate in collaborative and interdisciplinary research activities and discussions within our research group and with local and international collaborators. The main collaborators will be Luca Malatesta (group leader at GFZ) and Boris Gailleton (postdoc at U. Rennes). Researchers in the Earth Surface Process Modelling section work on a broad range of themes and come from widely different backgrounds. We are committed to a collaborative environment to ensure that members can rely on each other’s support. We value the development of meaningful skills and experience for the personal careers of our members. We believe that a diverse team is a stronger team.

Your responsibilities:

• Integrate a groundwater model in a landscape evolution framework
• Calibrate the coupled model with existing datasets
• Anchor the study of coupled groundwater-surface process models in an up-to-date bibliographic context
• Investigate the influence of groundwater flow on landscape evolution based on numerical simulations
• Actively engage in scientific discussion and activities with other members of the section and collaborating sections at the GFZ
• Present, publish and communicate research results at scientific meetings and in scholarly journals

Your qualifications:

• PhD in Earth Sciences or Hydrology (by the time of contract start)
• MSc in natural sciences, computer sciences, or equivalent
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge in the development of hydrogeological models and/or in the field of hydrogeology applied in a geomorphological context
• Demonstrated experience in a scientific programming language (Python and/or C++ are strongly desirable but not a must-have)
• Demonstrated familiarity with long timescales (10 kyr – Myr) and the relevant climatic and (hydro-) geological processes operating during them
• Demonstrated familiarity with geomorphological and/or hydrogeological dynamics at landscape scale
• Desirable familiarity with landscape evolution models
• Demonstrated excellence in publication (articles in revision will be taken into account)
• Demonstrated capacity for international teamwork and excellent communication skills
• Proficiency in spoken and written English