University Freiburg

The University of Freiburg was founded in 1457 and is one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Germany. With eleven faculties, around 240 degree programmes, and 440 full professorships as well as 32 junior professorships, it covers a broad interdisciplinary spectrum with high-quality research and teaching. The University of Freiburg regularly takes top positions in prestigious rankings. In the Shanghai Ranking, for example, it comes in at fifth place in nationwide comparison and is listed among the 101–150 best universities worldwide.

The University currently has around 24,500 students, 4,745 doctoral candidates, and a total of 8,489 employees, 5,936 of them in academic positions. Twenty-three Nobel laureates are associated with the University of Freiburg. The University secured 219 million euros in third-party funding in 2023 and received 16 ERC Grants between 2019 and 2023.

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

The CRC 1537 - ECOSENSE at the Chair of Hydrology invites applications for a doctoral researcher (m/f/d) position in forest ecohydrology

Application deadline: 8 May 2026

Entry date: 1 July 2026

Who we are:

In ECOSENSE we explore new ways to quantify ecosystem processes and stress impact of climate change by developing novel sensor principles and measurement methods (https://uni-freiburg.de/ecosense/). We established a comprehensive infrastructure and sensor network in a nearby forest. For our second phase starting this July we are seeking 15 doctoral researchers from environmental and engineering sciences. ECOSENSE offers highly interdisciplinary research and training in a cooperative and vivid working environment.

In project A2.1 (Linking fluxes of water and nutrients from trees to the soil and watershed using MRI and different sensor systems) we will trace water fluxes and sharpen our picture of biotic controls and find patterns that allow us to scale up water fluxes to larger areas including entire watersheds. Particularly focus will be moments of stress, such as droughts, heatwaves or late frost, and their impact on the ecohydrological fluxes in the heterogeneous forest ecosystem. We will develop and apply a unique ecohydrological sensor network capable of capturing the high spatio-temporal variability of water fluxes across diverse forest ecosystems. By combining point-based, integrated, continuous, and novel rover-based measurement approaches (CRNS), the goal is to identify an optimal and efficient sensor setup that provides maximum insight into tree–soil water interactions with minimal redundancy

The doctoral researcher will be part of the Chair of Hydrology, which is a dynamic and vivid team, strongly involved in ECOSENSE. The group is well-connected nationally and internationally, as well as within the University of Freiburg and Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment.

Your Tasks

Within ECOSENSE you will extend the existing ecohydrological sensor network and starting with the planning of a new ecohydrological site and its installation at additional sites. New sensors (CRNS, accelerometer) require additional calibration and testing at our new tree lysimeters and in the field. In particular the CRNS rover requires additional testing. You will maintain the network together with the technicians and then focus on the data analysis, the data-based modelling and the spatial-temporal analysis. Based on the novel new dataset and empirical work, you will be able to write 3-4 scientific papers in international, peer-reviewed journals, present at national and international conferences and be actively involved in the activities, workshops, and outreach events of the CRC.

Your Profile

• Completed university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Hydrology or a related field of Environmental and Earth Sciences with a focus on hydrology.
• High motivation to write a doctoral thesis in a structured program on ecohydrology
• Very good knowledge of R and/or Python
• Experience in data analysis, statistics and ecohydrological modelling
• Proficient written and spoken English; German is an asset
• Experience in scientific writing (publications) is an advantage
• Initiative, teamwork skills, and strong social competence.

We Offer

• An exciting research environment of ECOSENSE with internationally renowned researchers
• Structured support and supervision for your scientific and career development strengthened by the CRC’s own integrated Research Training Group providing a tailored qualification program for all our doctoral candidates.
• A diverse, collaborative, and inclusive research community.
• Opportunities for further education, attendance at conferences, and professional networking
• Flexible working hours and support with work-life balance
• Salary according to TV-L 13 (75%)
• Contracts will initially run for three years with an option of extension until June 2030.
• Optional involvement in university teaching

The University of Freiburg is dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity and diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social background, religion/belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

The funding of the here advertised position is still subject to the DFG’s final approval for a second phase by midst of May 2026.

Please upload your application (including a cover letter, CV, relevant certificates/transcripts, the names of 2 academic references and, if applicable, own scientific publications) by May 8, 2026 to the application portal of the University of Freiburg.

For any questions, please contact by email: Prof. Dr. Markus Weiler (markus.weiler@hydro.uni-freiburg.de)