Creating knowledge. Making a difference. Shaping the future. This is what the University of Münster stands for as one of the strongest research-oriented universities in Germany and one of the largest employers in the region. Every day, over 7,000 employees devote themselves to cutting-edge research and excellent teaching. We share more than a workplace. We share the desire to make a real impact – regionally and internationally. Our day-to-day work is distinguished by diversity, openness and space to pursue one’s ideas. Become a part of our team – in academia, a technical or manual trade, or administration.

The Institute of Geophysics (FB11) at the University of Münster, Germany, is seeking to fill the position of a

Doctoral Research Associate (Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in, salary level E 13 TV-L)

Your tasks:

• The position includes the completion of a doctoral project. The successful candidate is expected to carry out numerical and theoretical work on rapidly rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection. Possible focal areas include applications to the Earth’s outer core and the core–mantle boundary, or the influence of phase transitions, for example in planetary atmospheres.
• Participation in research within the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics and Geodynamics group. This includes performing systematic numerical simulations using existing solvers, as well as programming in Python, C++, Fortran, or a similar language for the analysis of large data sets.
• Publication of original research results in leading scientific journals and presentation of these results in seminar talks and at international scientific conferences.
• Participation in teaching at the Institute for Geophysics.

Our expectations:

• A graduate degree (i.e., German Diplom and / or master’s degree) in Physics, Geophysics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field is required.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is strongly desired.
• Solid knowledge in fluid dynamics, good skills in numerical modeling, and a clear interest in geophysical problems are desirable.
• Teamwork skills, communication skills, organizational ability, and an independent working style are desired.

Advantages for you:

The University of Münster strongly supports equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome all applicants regardless of sex, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to creating family-friendly working conditions.
We actively encourage applications by women. Women with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially considered unless these are outweighed by reasons which necessitate the selection of another candidate.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr Adrian van Kan (E-Mail: a.vankan@uni-muenster.de)

Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 2026-07-31 at:

You may also send us your application electronically in PDF format to pgpsek1@uni-muenster.de. Please note that we cannot consider other file formats. Please include a short statement (no more than 3 pages) of the candidate’s research experience and interests, a CV including a list of publications, relevant academic transcripts and the names and contact information of two potential referees.

Reference number: 2026_06_14