Research assistant (postdoc) (m/f/d)

Job description:
To strengthen our international and interdisciplinary team, we are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher (m/f/d) for the third-party funded research project TIPSY (fixed term). The TIPSY project investigates whether river systems exhibit critical tipping points and to what extent these can be triggered by ongoing climate change. The aim is to experimentally and conceptually capture non-linear responses, abrupt system state changes, and potential regime shifts in river landscapes.
A central component of the project is analogue laboratory experiments on river landscape evolution. Controlled flume experiments will be conducted to investigate the dynamics of sediment transport, morphodynamics, and self-organization in river systems under varying boundary conditions.

Your responsibilities include in particular:

• Planning, conducting, and further developing flume experiments on river landscape evolution
• Systematic collection, processing, and analysis of experimental raw data
• Generation and preparation of parameter time series from high-resolution measurement data
• Publishing results in international scientific journals and presenting them at conferences

Requirements:

• Completed university degree in geosciences
• Completed PhD in geosciences, physical geography, sedimentology, or a related field

Desirable:

• Proven research achievements in sedimentology, geomorphology, or hydrology, demonstrated through peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Experience in experimental geomorphology, sediment transport, or physical modeling
• Knowledge of data analysis, time series analysis, and ideally nonlinear dynamics
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or comparable tools)
• independent, structured working style and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration
• very good written and spoken German and English (B2)

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Anne Bernhardt (anne.bernhardt@fu-
berlin.de / 030 838 61615).

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, no later than May 26th, 2026 in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Prof. Dr. Anne Bernhardt: alyssa.hammons@fu-berlin.de or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Geowissenschaften
Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften
Sedimentäre Systeme
Prof. Dr. Anne Bernhardt
Malteserstr. 74-100
Haus B, 12249 Berlin (Lankwitz)

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Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer