PhD in Dynamic Mountain Environments & SociEty
The University of Salzburg
About us
The University of Salzburg is a thriving university in Austria with a strong focus on research. The university stands for outstanding achievements in both research and teaching in the areas of (digital) humanities, life sciences, sustainability of (social) processes and the link between art and science. With the four guiding themes of Art in Context, Development & Sustainability, Digital Life and Health & Mind, the university offers researchers excellent opportunities for inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation.
The University of Salzburg is an equal opportunity employer and aims to increase the proportion of women in scientific and general university staff, particularly in leadership positions, and therefore explicitly encourages qualified women to apply. In cases of equal qualification, women will be given preference.
People with disabilities or chronic illnesses who meet the required qualification criteria are expressly encouraged to apply. For information, please contact us at +43/662/8044-2462 or at disability@plus.ac.at.
We Offer
- Social and Environmental Responsibility: i.a. bicycle initiatives, art and cultural offerings, sustainability initiative “PLUS Green Campus”
- Comprehensive Financial Benefits: i.a. additional company pension schemes, commuting subsidies, support for the “Klimaticket” (climate ticket), discounts at the USI (University Sports Institute) and the Language Center, numerous corporate cooperations
- Diverse Continuing Education Offerings: i.a. ongoing internal and external training, coaching sessions, Erasmus+ staff training programs
- Life-Phase-Oriented Work: i.a. childcare places for infants, holiday programs, paid lunch breaks, meeting policy
- Health and Preventive Care: i.a. health programs, vaccination and preventive care campaigns, psychological counseling sessions
- Additional Benefits: Click here
- A fully funded PhD position in a vibrant, international research environment (>20 doctoral students).
- Access to high-end infrastructure (TLS/UAV equipment, HPC clusters).
- Intensive supervision (University of Salzburg & University of Innsbruck) and direct connection to disaster management networks (DCNA).
Appointments are made according to the provisions of the Austrian Universities Act 2002 (UG) and the Salaried Employees Act.
Unfortunately, travel and accommodation costs incurred in connection with the application process cannot be reimbursed.
Homepage: https://www.plus.ac.at/work/?lang=en
Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems (GI)
Natural Hazards (NH)
- Job Category: Scientific Staff
- Job Profile: University Assistant without PhD
- Hours per week: 30 h/w
- Duration of Contract: Temporary
The Project:
The Department of Environment and Biodiversity is seeking to fill a PhD position within the DSP doctorate school "Dynamic Mountain Environments & SociEty" (DynamitE Vol. 2) for the project CRAG (Critical Infrastructure Risk from Alpine Geohazards).
The project links numerical 3D stress modeling with multiscale field monitoring to predict gravitational mass movements in the vicinity of critical infrastructures under changing climate conditions.
Key Responsibilities:
- 3D Modeling: Conducting high-resolution numerical stress modeling using the Finite Cell Method (FCM) on HPC clusters.
- Field Monitoring: Assessing slope instabilities by integrating multiscale datasets (InSAR, UAV photogrammetry, laser scanning, real-time fissurometers).
- Climate/Meteorological Triggers: Correlating topographic stress fields with permafrost degradation and heavy precipitation events to determine failure thresholds.
- Publications: Presenting research at international conferences and publishing at least three scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals (cumulative DSP standard).
- Network: Active participation in the DSP curriculum and close cooperation with the FWF doc.funds project AlpsChange. Participation in the Young Scientists Network of the DCNA (Disaster Competence Network Austria).
Admission Requirements:
- Completed diploma or master's degree in Geology, Earth Sciences, Geomorphology, Geotechnics, Civil Engineering, Computational Engineering, or a comparable quantitative discipline.
- Enrollment in the subject-specific doctoral program at the University of Salzburg
- Solid knowledge of or a strong interest in numerical modeling / geomechanics, as well as programming and GIS experience (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
Desired Qualities:
- Physical fitness and willingness to conduct fieldwork in high-alpine terrain.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Strong ability to work in an interdisciplinary team environment (Geology, Geography, Mathematics).
Please submit your application documents (letter of motivation, CV, certificates, 2 references ) as a single PDF document via the university's career portal.
Apply Now | University of Salzburg
Contact for inquiries: Assoz. Prof. Dr. Jörg Robl (joerg.robl@plus.ac.at).
Become part of the team of University of Salzburg - we are looking forward to your application!