The graduate research school GEOSIM (Explorative Simulation in Earth-Sciences) is a collaborative effort of researchers in departments of Earth and Mathematical Sciences at the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ Potsdam), Potsdam University and Freie Universität Berlin.

We invite applications for 10 PhD fellowships in the field of simulation of Earth System processes.

GEOSIM focuses on research in three critical fields of Earth Sciences by using simulation as an explorative tool dedicated to advancing our qualitative and quantitative understanding of Earth’s complex systems. These fields will be: solid earth dynamics and earthquakes, atmosphere-hydrosphere dynamics and climate, and hydrological flow and transport processes. The fields will be studied by integrating techniques such as data exploration, assimilation, and model selection and validation; analysis of scaling properties of geo-processes; explorative simulation and computer-aided modelling of incompletely known systems. We aim to train a new generation of young, interdisciplinary scientists with skills in combining applied geosciences with the development of physical concepts of Earth systems, mathematical abstraction, and the use of high-performance computing.

What we offer:

Training will include advanced courses in the above subjects, summer schools, and workshops complementing the research work in the topic of the PhD thesis. Candidates will be co-supervised by an earth scientist and a mathematician and will benefit from a stimulating interdisciplinary research environment. The three-year PhD fellowships amount 1500 euro/month.

What we ask:

We expect candidates to contribute to the development of their own research topic and to participate in the school’s curriculum. At the time of appointment, candidates should have a MSc degree (or equivalent) in at least one of the following fields and a strong affinity with a complementary discipline: Earth Sciences, Physics, Meteorological Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Sciences or Engineering.

The website www.geo-x.net/geosim provides more information on the groups and scientists involved in thesis supervision, candidate requirements, subjects for potential PhD theses and the PhD curriculum, as well as contact details and the online application form.

Candidate evaluation will begin after the application deadline on May 25th, 2011; the anticipated start of the PhD projects is on October 1, 2011. GFZ, Potsdam University and Freie Universität Berlin are equal opportunity / affirmative action employers.

Prof. Dr. O. Oncken (GFZ Potsdam)
Prof. Dr. R. Klein (FU Berlin)
Prof. Dr. F. Scherbaum (Potsdam University)
Dr. K. Leever (GEOSIM coordinator)