Offene Stellen

PhD student (f/m/d) for the research project Ground-based measurements for carbon cycle studies of the Congo-Basin

Fachbereich 1 – Physik / Elektrotechnik

Entgelt- / Besoldungsgruppe E 13 –

Teilzeit 65%

Kennziffer: A079-26
Bewerbungsfrist: 17.06.2026
Öffentliche Ausschreibung

The Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) at the University of Bremen is looking at the earliest possible date for a

PhD student (f/m/d)

German federal pay scale E 13 TV-L (65%) limited for 3 years subject to the allocation of funds

for the research project 

Ground-based measurements for carbon cycle studies of the Congo-Basin 

The position is fixed-term for the purpose of academic qualification in accordance with § 2 (1) of the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG). Accordingly, only applicants who still have available qualification periods under § 2 (1) WissZeitVG can be considered.

Stellenbeschreibung

The role of carbon fluxes from deforestation, degradation, reforestation, and the natural uptake from the tropical land is highly uncertain. Within the tropics, nowhere is more uncertain than in the Congo basin which is home to the second largest extent of tropical forest and the world’s largest tropical peatland. 

To address this major knowledge gap, the Congo-Flex initiative funded by Schmidt Science brings together world leaders in carbon cycle science, earth observation, and central African ecosystems, to provide a first data-driven estimate of the net CO2 flux of central Africa and partition this net flux among deforestation, degradation, regrowth, and intact forest carbon fluxes. This will be achieved by a combination of local measurement networks and new Earth observation data combined with modelling approaches. Aircraft in-situ profiling of CO2, CH4 and CO and semi-continuous ground-based FTS measurements of the column-integrated CO2, CH4 and CO concentrations will be carried out to provide top-down atmospheric constrains on CO2 surface fluxes. A new ground-based site will be setup near Libreville in Gabon by the University of Bremen together with the Gabonese Space Agency AGEOS to form the most Easterly site of a network of four sites constraining the Congo Basin. 

The Institute of Environmental Physics offers a good working atmosphere, direct involvement in international research and attractive facilities.

Tasks:

• analysis of FTIR groundbased measurements
• analysis of satellite observations and comparison with groundbased measurements
• modelling of fluxes and comparison with measurements
• programming with e.g. python for creation of results (data and figures) 
   

In this PhD project, you will analyse measurements from the ground-based network and used them in combination with observations from satellites to investigate carbon fluxes of the Congo basin. The ground-based measurements will be used to assess satellite observations and large-scale models and we will setup up a regional modelling approach tailored to the FTS column measurements. In addition, this will also comprise the retrieval of atmospheric data from the FTS measurements and supporting the operation of the FTS. 

Voraussetzungen

• A completed academic university degree (Master/University Diploma) in physics, or in related fields (e.g., Atmospheric sciences or Meteorology) with direct relevance to the above-mentioned tasks
  Applicants who are in the final phase of their master’s studies will also be considered. Please note that a master’s degree certificate is mandatory for employment.
  
• Experimental experience 
• Good programming skills preferably in Python
• Good oral and written knowledge of the English and French language

We require participation in field studies in Central African countries such as Gabon and the Republic of the Congo; the same applies to a willingness to learn German.

It would also be an advantage to have:

• Expertise in spectroscopic measurements, atmospheric satellite measurements or regional atmospheric modelling 

Allgemeine Hinweise

You can expect

• Annual special payment (“Christmas bonus”), regular collectively agreed salary increases, and an additional occupational pension scheme for the public sector (VBL)

• A secure, interesting, and varied position at an open-minded and internationally oriented university

• 30 days of paid annual leave per calendar year

• A diverse, forward-looking, and open organizational culture

• Support from a collegial and motivated team with a positive working atmosphere

• Individual onboarding and induction

• Opportunities for professional development and further training

  

• A good work–life balance through flexible working hours (flexitime) and the option of mobile working, subject to applicable conditions

• Free support services within the framework of social and family counseling

• An active occupational health management program, including the possibility of discounted access to local sports clubs, fitness studios, and swimming pools (EGYM Wellpass)

• The option to use a subsidized job ticket for public transportation

• A wide range of sports and cultural activities

• Varied and affordable dining options in the cafeterias operated by the Student Services (Studierendenwerk)

For questions of the research project, please contact:

Dr. Tim Bösch, e-mail: tim.boeschprotect me ?!iup.physik.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de and/or

Prof. Hartmut Bösch, e-mail: hboeschprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de 

See also for general information: 

http://www.iup.uni-bremen.de/

Please send your application documents (cover letter, CV, and copy of your degree certificates including high school) until June 17th, 2026 by indicating the job id A079-26 to: 

sdrathprotect me ?!iup.physik.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de

or by post to:

University of Bremen
Institute of Environmental Physics
Stephanie Drath 
Otto-Hahn-Allee 1
D-28359 Bremen

or as a PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to sdrathprotect me ?!iup.physik.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de

For university degrees obtained outside the EU, please submit a German or English translation, as well as an assessment from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Alternatively, we request that you send an excerpt from the Database for the Recognition and Assessment of Foreign Educational Qualifications (ANABIN).

We kindly ask you to submit only copies (not portfolios), as we are unable to return them. Upon completion of the selection process, your application materials will be retained in accordance with legal requirements and subsequently destroyed.

Eventual costs arising from your application cannot be reimbursed.

Please note that photographs should not be included with your application materials.

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad range of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research-based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue international scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership.

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are firmly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to dare new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe and in the world.

The University of Bremen is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. 

As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same.