The Department of Compound Environmental Risks at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ studies compound weather events, which are combinations of multiple weather and climate drivers that cause most climate-related impacts. Within this department, the Emmy Noether Research Group ‘Compound climate extremes’ is seeking a highly motivated PhD student at the earliest possible start date who will exploit large ensemble climate model simulations to advance our understanding of spatially compounding fire weather extremes.
The present PhD project will focus on spatially compounding fire-conducive weather extremes across multiple European countries in the context of climate change, with particular interest in future projections, associated uncertainties, storylines, and the potential for worst-case events.
The PhD student will have the opportunity to interact with team members working onlarge ensemble simulations, attribution studies, and impact modelling in the Department, which is a well-known hub of international scientists studying compound weather and climate events.
Table of Content
Summary
- Application DeadlineApril 5, 2026
- Study LevelPhD
- SponsorHelmholtz-Zentrum Für Umweltforschung
- Eligible CountryAll Countries
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Benefits
- Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
- The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
- The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
- Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
- Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
- A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
- Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
- Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket
- A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity
Requirements
- A master degree in Physics, Data Science, Meteorology, Environmental Science, Earth System and Climate Sciences, Mathematics, or related fields.
- Curiosity, self-motivation, enthusiasm for innovative scientific research, and willingness to solve complex scientific questions and challenges.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.Openness to scientific discussion, critical thinking, and constructive exchange of ideas.
- Programming skills (Python, R, bash, or similar). Experience with supercomputers or at least Linux systems and handling large datasets is advantageous.
- Experience in working with climate data.
- Experience with atmospheric physics or interest in understanding physical processes that cause weather/climate extremes.
- Experience with statistics (multivariate statistics is advantageous)
- Analytical skills and the capability to think “out-of-the box”.
- Very good written and oral communication skills in English.
Application Documents
- a cover letter: explaining your motivation to conduct a PhD and your interest in the announced PhD topic (optional: any job-related experience and applied methods you think important).
- a curriculum vitae (including degree grades)
- list of publications (if available)
- contact details of at least two references
- copies of certificates (high school/ B.Sc./ M.Sc.), and a transcript of all covered subjects and grades (B.Sc./ M.Sc.)
Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadline
April 5, 2026How To Apply
For more information, kindly visit the UFZ webpage.
