Doctoral student

Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a research university rich in tradition. Inspired by curiosity about the unknown, we enable around 25,000 students and 5,800 employees to advance science for society. Join us in breaking new ground and writing success stories - your own and those of our university.

Support us from in part-time (75 %) as a

Doctoral student (m/f/d)

in the field of Geomorphology and Luminescence Dating

The position is part of the externally funded project "Diachronism of Pleistocene river terrace formation: Deciphering an inherent component of fluvial systems using high-resolution luminescence dating of terrace sediments in the Regnitz catchment (Upper Franconia, Germany)" and is to be filled on a fixed-term basis in accordance with § 2 WissZeitVG and § 72 HessHG with the opportunity for own academic qualification at the Chair of Physical Geography, Department of Geography at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Geography. The salary is in accordance with the collective labour agreement of the State of Hessen (E 13 TV-H).

As long as the maximum permissible duration of a fixed-term contract is not exceeded, you will be employed for a period of 3 years.

The project

The concept of asynchronous evolution in fluvial systems—long established in theory but rarely explored through systematic empirical research—forms the foundation of our project. Although it is widely acknowledged that rivers respond to environmental change in spatially and temporally complex ways, the idea that fluvial landforms such as river terraces may develop diachronously along a river's course has received surprisingly little attention in geochronological studies. The project addresses this research gap through an innovative empirical approach that combines detailed geomorphological mapping with high-resolution luminescence dating to test for spatial variability in the timing of river terrace formation.

Your tasks at a glance

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate (m/f/d) to contribute to this innovative research project. Your responsibilities will include:

Conducting extensive fieldwork for the systematic geomorphological mapping of river terrace levels

Collecting and preparing sediment samples for sedimentological analyses and innovative luminescence dating methods

Applying advanced luminescence dating techniques and interpreting geospatial data

Contributing to current scientific debates in Quaternary geochronology and fluvial geomorphology

The provision of academic services (including the processing of a research project financed by third party funds on a temporary basis) also serves the purpose of academic qualification.

Your qualifications and competences

Completed Master's or equivalent university degree in Geography, Geosciences, or a related discipline

Strong interest in luminescence dating, fluvial geomorphology, and geochronological methods (previous experience in luminescence dating is advantageous)

Willingness to conduct fieldwork in Upper Franconia and to participate in national and international conferences

Good proficiency in English (spoken and written)

Our offer to you

A varied job with flexible working hours

Free use of local public transport (LandesTicket Hessen)

More than 100 training seminars, workshops and e-learning opportunities per year for personal development, as well as a wide range of health and sports activities

Remuneration according to TV-H, company pension scheme, child allowance and special payments

Good compatibility of family and career (certificate "audit familiengerechte hochschule")

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Thomas Kolb by e-mail ).

JLU welcomes qualified applications regardless of biological and social gender, disability, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, age as well as sexual orientation and identity. The JLU aims for a higher proportion of women in accordance with the women's promotion plan. We therefore particularly encourage qualified female candidates to apply. JLU is certified as a family-friendly university. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.

You want to break new ground with us?

Apply via our online form by December 16th, 2025, indicating reference number 539/07. We look forward to receiving your application.

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Job Types: Part-time, Temporary

Work Location: In person