University of Kassel & University of Giessen

Homepage: https://www.uni-kassel.de/go/adapt

11 PhD positions and 1 Postdoc available in environmental engineering and geoscience disciplines: Collaborative water project between the Universities of Kassel and Giessen (GER)

We invite applications for eleven PhD positions to participate in a collaborative research project between the Universities of Kassel and Giessen (Germany). The project, Adaptation to Drought and Extremes: The Surface-Soil-Groundwater Buffer under Climate Stress (ADAPT), aims to investigate the effect of climate change management scenarios to counteract the increasingly prevalent water deficits during summer droughts in Germany and central Europe. Specifically, the project seeks to delineate a safe path for the use of treated wastewater as a resource for irrigating agricultural soils, and to quantify the effect of hydromorphological management approaches to improve water retention, that can, ultimately, enhance groundwater recharge. Irrigation with treated wastewater will increase the load of micropollutants in the environment and thereby potentially negatively affect naturally occurring filtration processes in the soil-groundwater continuum. Our goal is to merge expertise across a broad spectrum of geoscience and environmental engineering disciplines to improve the removal of micropollutants from wastewater and quantify the resilience of soils and aquifers. The project will leverage field sampling, state-of-the-art flow-through experiments with molecular biological and chemical analytical methods while also focusing on cropping systems and process-based modelling.

Prospective early career researchers will benefit from a collaborative research network across disciplines such as soil science, hydro(geo)logy, urban-water- and water-resource-engineering, microbiology, analytical chemistry and agricultural sciences. Students will have the opportunity to participate in field campaigns at various sites across the state of Hesse and will participate in yearly multi-lateral project workshops organized at the various member institutions. We envision strong collaboration and networking among the ADAPT-cohort of PhD students. All PhD positions listed below are fixed-term contracts with a duration of 3.5 years (42 months). Applications deadlines are in mid-October. Please adhere to the specific date listed for each position under the official application link below.

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Reactive Transport Experiments and Modelling (Kassel):

The main tasks of this position will be to design and conduct flow-through experiments with natural aquifer sediments to simulate drought and micropollutant stress scenarios. Experimental data will be evaluated using reactive transport modelling to quantify biogeochemical cycling under changing conditions. The candidate will work closely with molecular biologists in Giessen, co-developing experiments and linking molecular biological markers to process-based models. One-dimensional models with detailed reaction networks will serve as the foundation for upscaling to aquifer-scale scenarios. The goal is to develop gene-explicit models that predict how drought and micropollutant loads affect natural attenuation processes in groundwater.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in environmental engineering, geosciences, or a related discipline. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in environmental physics and biogeochemistry and demonstrated skills in numerical modelling of subsurface processes. The position is to be filled by early 2026. The student will be based at the University of Kassel under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Adrian Mellage.

For further information, please contact Prof. Adrian Mellage (adrian.mellage@uni-kassel.de) To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Applied Microbiology (Giessen):

The main tasks of this position will be to investigate microbial community shifts and gene expression in aquifers under dynamic water availability. The work will include laboratory experiments with soil and aquifer columns simulating drought and irrigation with nitrate and micropollutant inputs. The candidate will apply molecular and microbiome analyses to quantify microbial activity, particularly nitrogen cycle processes, and link results to water quality outcomes. Cooperation with project partners in Kassel will include joint experiment design and eluate analysis. The position also offers opportunities to contribute to publications and co-supervise student projects.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in microbiology, biology, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have practical experience in microbiology and molecular biology and a strong interest in applying bioinformatics and statistics. A Class B driver’s license is advantageous. The position is to be filled by early 2026. The student will be based at the University of Giessen under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Sylvia Schnell.

For further information, please contact Prof. Sylvia Schnell (sylvia.schnell@uni-giessen.de) To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Giessen’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Environmental Analysis (Giessen):

The main tasks of this position will be to develop and validate multi-analyte methods for detecting micropollutants and their transformation products in water, soil, and plant samples. Analytical work will focus on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The candidate will investigate treated wastewater and infiltration test samples, adapt methods to different matrices, and identify novel metabolites or transformation products. The position also includes opportunities to publish results internationally and to co-supervise student projects.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in food chemistry, chemistry, environmental sciences, or a related discipline with a very strong focus on analytical chemistry. Practical experience in residue analysis is required. A Class B driver’s license is advantageous. The position is to be filled by early 2026. The student will be based at the University of Giessen under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Gerd Hamscher.

For further information, please contact Prof. Gerd Hamscher (gerd.hamscher@uni-giessen.de) To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Giessen’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Catchment-Scale Groundwater Flow and Transport Modelling (Kassel):

The main tasks of this position will be to develop and apply physically based 2D and 3D groundwater models (HydroGeoSphere) to investigate groundwater recharge, storage dynamics and contaminant transport in fractured and porous aquifers. The models will integrate monitoring data, isotope-based groundwater age estimates, and soil/aquifer parameters to quantify how the deep vadose zone acts as a long-term reservoir or pathway for micropollutants from irrigation with treated wastewater. The candidate will assess the effects of climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5/8.5) and managed aquifer recharge measures on groundwater resources and conduct ensemble predictions in collaboration with sub-projects on soils and hydrology to systematically analyze structural model uncertainty.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in an environmental engineering or geoscience discipline. The ideal candidate should have an in-depth understanding of environmental physics. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated skills and experience numerical modelling of subsurface processes. The position is to be filled by early 2026. The student will be based out of the University of Kassel and will be co-supervised by Dr. Lysander Bresinsky and Prof. Dr. Adrian Mellage.

For further information, please contact Dr. Lysander Bresinsky (l.bresinsky@uni-kasse.de) and/or Prof. Adrian Mellage (adrian.mellage@uni-kassel.de). To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Water Reuse (Kassel):

The main tasks of this position will be to design and conduct pilot-scale experiments at selected wastewater treatment plants in North Hesse, Germany, to evaluate the effectiveness of advanced treatment processes (physical, oxidative, adsorptive and nature-based) with the purpose of water reuse for irrigation. The project will assess the increased risk of soil contamination from organic micropollutants arising from irrigation via water reuse. Experimental data will be used to further develop and apply mechanistic modelling approaches to predict the solute behavior within the treatment chain. The candidate will collaborate closely with other doctoral students and investigators to link the findings of laboratory-, pilot-scale and field studies.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, chemical engineering, process engineering, civil engineering or related fields. The ideal candidate will have in-depth knowledge in the field of water technologies and be willing to learn and cooperate across disciplines. The position is to be filled by early 2026. The student will be based at the University of Kassel under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Tobias Morck.

For further information, please contact Prof. Tobias Morck (morck@uni-kassel.de). To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Multi-scale Pollutant Transport and Hydrological Modelling (Kassel):

In this sub-project, laboratory experiments and multi-scale simulations (leaching in soils, catchment scale) will be combined to investigate the influence of drought adaptation measures on pollutant levels (e.g. pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, pesticides) in soils and rivers, as well as on the water balance of catchments.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in environmental engineering, hydrology, soil sciences, environmental sciences or related fields. Basic knowledge of catchment hydrology, soil science and pollutant fate, as well as a background in environmental modeling, is required. The position is to be filled by early 2026. The student will be based at the University of Kassel, and will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Matthias Gassmann.

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Matthias Gassmann, phone: +49 561 804 3462, email: gassmann@uni-kassel.de. To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (50% EG 13 TV-H) in Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management (Kassel):

In this sub-project, measures to increase water retention in the area, in the watercourse itself and through retention structures are being investigated. The focus here is on model-based hydraulic identification, analysis, and evaluation of potential hydromorphological and hydraulic engineering measures to increase water retention and, as a result, groundwater recharge.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in civil engineering/environmental engineering, a focus on hydraulic engineering and water resources management. In-depth knowledge of CFD modeling (especially 2D CFD modeling and geographic information systems) is required. The position is to be filled by early 2026. The student will be based at the University of Kassel, and will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Stephan Theobald.

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Stephan Theobald, phone: +49 561 804 2679, email: s.theobald@uni-kassel.de. To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Soil-Plant Modelling (Kassel):

The main task will be to evaluate unsaturated soil water fluxes and solute transport dynamics of jointly operated soil column experiments. The prospective student will construct a surrogate model to represent the solute transport dynamics and implement this into the sophisticated soil-crop model Expert-N. Subsequently, the student will evaluate the projected irrigation water demands in agriculture and the environmental fate of emerging pollutants from treated water used as irrigation water. As part of the PhD, small model improvements of root water uptake dynamics and dissolved organic matter transport should be implemented into Expert-N.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree or higher in agricultural or environmental sciences, geo-ecology, mathematics, physics, informatics, engineering, biology or similar. The position is to be filled in early 2026. The applicant will be based at the University of Kassel – Campus Witzenhausen, and will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Tobias Weber and co-supervised by apl. Prof. Dr. Christine Wachendorf.

For further information, please contact or Prof. Dr. Tobias Weber (tobias.weber@uni-kassel.de). To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Soil Ecology (Kassel):

The main tasks of this position will be the analysis of hydraulic properties, and carbon mineralization dynamics of soils in order to deduce soil functions under different water regimes. As part of a joint laboratory experiment, the candidate will sample and analyze various soils in Hesse, characterizing water retention, hydraulic conductivity and microbial carbon-use efficiency.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in agriculture, geoecology, environmental sciences or related discipline. Practical experience in soil chemical and physical analysis is required. A Class B driver’s license is advantageous. The position is to be filled in early 2026. The student will be based out of the University of Kassel – Campus Witzenhausen, and will be co-supervised by apl. Prof. Dr. Christine Wachendorf and Prof. Dr. Tobias Weber.

For further information, please contact apl. Prof. Dr. Christine Wachendorf (c.wachendorf@uni-kasse.de) and/or Prof. Dr. Tobias Weber (tobias.weber@uni-kassel.de). To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Organic Cropping Systems (Kassel):

The main tasks of this position will be to investigate effects of drought, inundation and irrigation with micropollutant inputs on crop performance and root growth of wheat, fodder crops and horticultural crops under adapted soil management. The work will include different mesocosm experiments to test different soils and potentially resilience-enhancing agronomic measures for their ability to maintain soil functions relevant to crop growth even under abiotic stress. Thus, this position will be concerned with the agronomic relevance of the weather extremes and management options focused in ADAPT.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in agricultural science or a related discipline. The ideal candidate will have practical experience with field or greenhouse experiments, some horticultural knowledge, and a strong interest in root growth and plant-soil interactions. A Class B driver’s license is advantageous. The position is to be filled by early 2026. The student will be based at the University of Kassel – Campus Witzenhausen under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Miriam Athmann.

For further information, please contact Prof. Miriam Athmann (m.athmann@uni-kassel.de). To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

PhD (75% EG 13 TV-H) in Soil Physics (Kassel):

This position is dedicated to improve soil-crop and/or land-surface models. This may be achieved by improving parameterization of the soil hydrological properties close to saturation and their temporal dynamics which are a consequence of tillage operations and natural processes occurring in agricultural soils. Another method is to develop approaches with which it is possible to incorporate expert knowledge into the parameterisation of soil-crop models using suitable likelihood models and Bayesian statistics. Both approaches are expected to lead to better predictions of solute transport processes. The emphasis of the research will be based on the candidate's interest and experience.

Applicants must hold an MSc degree or higher in Agricultural or Environmental Sciences, Geoecology, Mathematics, Physics, Informatics, Engineering, Biology or similar. The position is to be filled in early 2026. The applicant will be based at the University of Kassel – Campus Witzenhausen, and will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Tobias Weber and co-supervised by M.Sc. Daniela Reineke.

For further information, please contact or Prof. Dr. Tobias Weber (tobias.weber@uni-kassel.de). To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references

Postdoc (100% EG 13 TV-H) in Unsaturated Flow and Reactive Transport (Kassel):

This 3.5-year postdoc position will help coordinate research across disciplines and develop independent projects on variably saturated flow-through experiments and reactive transport modelling, with a focus on PFAS transport in soils and groundwater. Key tasks include establishing the new core Infiltration Continuum Lab (ICL) facility, supervising PhD students, linking experiments with simulations, and supporting project reporting.

Applicants must hold a PhD in earth sciences, environmental engineering, or a related field, with a strong background in soil hydrology, hydro(geo)logy, and subsurface modelling. Publications in international peer-reviewed journals are expected. Experience with unsaturated transport of micropollutants, specifically, PFAS, physically-based soil water modelling (e.g. HYDRUS), and laboratory experiments are considered an asset.

The position is based at the University of Kassel under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Adrian Mellage (adrian.mellage@uni-kassel.de) and Prof. Dr. Matthias Gassmann (gassmann@uni-kassel.de). To apply for the position please follow the link to the University of Kassel’s recruitment website, and follow the instructions therein. The application should consist of a single PDF file that contains:

1. Your motivation for applying and your research interests
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Copy of transcript(s)
4. Contact information for 2 references