University of Freiburg

The University of Freiburg is worth the move: with over 500 years of history, it is one of Germany's most renowned and research-intensive universities. Here you will work in a unique diversity of subjects, perspectives, and people for research and teaching at the highest level—in the heart of one of Germany's most popular cities.

The personnel policy of the University of Freiburg is based on the principles of equality and diversity. The university is strongly committed to the goal of being a family-friendly university.

Homepage: https://uni-freiburg.de/unr-hydro/

The international DFG Research Training Group FORSCALE “Scale Effects in the Forest Adaptation to Climate Change” investigates how forest ecosystems can be actively adapted to climate change. The German-Canadian program combines ecological, social, and economic perspectives at various scales – from molecules to landscapes, from local to political. Forests are understood as complex adaptive systems.

FORSCALE pursues an inter- and transdisciplinary approach that integrates ecological, forestry, social, and legal perspectives. The Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Freiburg offers successful applicants a doctoral position E13, 65% for 3.5 years starting November 1, 2025.

The doctoral position in the field of hydrology investigates the effects of forest transformation on water quantity and quality from the stand to the catchment area. Healthy forests regulate extreme runoff and water quality. However, disturbances such as drought, insect infestation, forest fires, or various management practices can jeopardize these water-related ecosystem services. The effects of different types of forest disturbances on water quantity and quality (i.e., nutrient and dissolved organic carbon concentrations) will be investigated in German and Canadian watersheds using a space-versus-time approach (many areas with a wide range of forest changes). In addition to the time series already collected, water samples will also be taken in areas currently undergoing change. Statistical methods, machine learning, and process-oriented hydrological models will be applied to test the hypothesis that minor changes in forest cover have a greater impact on water quality than on water quantity. In contrast, long-term effects will have a greater impact on water quantity than on water quality.

The program is research-oriented and structured, in cooperation with six Canadian universities. One focus is on international exchange with Canada, including several months of research stays. The position is limited until April 30, 2029. Annual remuneration is 37600€ - 42400€ based on E13 TV-L (65%).

If you would like to join the FORSCALE team and have a very good master's degree in hydrology, forestry, or environmental sciences (or a comparable field), very good English skills, experience in hydrological modeling, programming, and field work, and a driver's license (class B), then please apply by September 20, 2025, with the following documents in a PDF file: Cover letter with research interests, CV, certificates, scientific paper (in English if possible), contacts of at least 2 references.

Please apply with the above documents, quoting reference number 00004500. We will start screening the applications by September 20, 2025. Please apply in electronic form using the following link: https://uni-freiburg.de/stellenangebot/00004500/ 

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Markus Weiler at +49 761 203-3535 or markus.weiler@hydrology.uni-freiburg.de; or Carolin Winter at carolin.winter@hydrology.uni-freiburg.de.