Doctorate at UFZ

Interdisciplinary research is very important at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). The natural, engineering and social sciences are combined in six research units to investigate the complex interactions between humans and the environment.
We want to enable you to conduct excellent research and provide you with the ideal technical infrastructure. You also benefit from an international environment and good networking.

Are you a scientist looking for a new challenge?

Or are you about to finish your masters thesis and are interested in a doctorate? 

Then have a look at our job offers! The UFZ offers a variety of exciting opportunities to start or advance your scientific career and to help develop solutions for major societal challenges.

Doctoral research

Roughly 300 doctoral researchers from around 45 countries are currently working on their doctorate at the UFZ. If you are enthusiastic about environmental research, appreciate excellent equipment and would like to work with international scientists, you are in the right place at the UFZ!

Logo HIGRADE Logo Do-it

Graduate program

As a doctoral researcher, the HIGRADE (Helmholtz Interdisciplinary GRADuate Program for Environmental Research) graduate program will support you on your way to becoming an internationally competitive scientist. This program offers a wide range of qualification and networking options.

HIGRADE »

DO-IT Doctoral representation

At the UFZ, we listen to the concerns of doctoral researchers. Our doctoral research representative (Do-it) is committed to representing the interests of this group. For example, they discuss topics such as working and supervision conditions and invite you to regular discussions.

Do-it »

UFZ PhD Cohorts

Picture PhD Cohorts: 3 colleagues in front of the screen (Photo: Anne Schwerin) The UFZ offers annual funding for innovative PhD cohorts, with each cohort consisting of four doctoral positions centred around a common research topic. This initiative specifically seeks to bridge the interfaces between UFZ's IP missions, Helmholtz Programme-oriented Funding (PoF) objectives, and UFZ Research Units.

UFZ PhD Cohorts »
Interested in a doctorate at the UFZ?

Closing date for applications:  • Location: Leipzig Research Associate Position (f/m/x) with PhD track: Adaptive and sustainable water resource management
As part of the junior research group “navigate”, the position focuses on resilient and sustainable planning of water supply systems under uncertainty, considering the interactions between urban centers, surrounding regions, and ecosystems. The project combines data analysis, modeling, and participatory approaches to understand and improve decision-making in the face of climate extremes, population growth, and competing water demands.
Closing date for applications:  • Location: Leipzig Research Associate Position (f/m/x) with PhD track: "Trade-offs between rural and urban water uses under droughts, heat-waves, and compound events"
As part of the junior research group “navigate”, the position investigates the development of conflicts between residential and ecological water needs and growing agricultural and industrial water demands and explores governance solutions. To this end, the position combines hydro-economic modeling, remote sensing data, and scenario simulations. The PhD project entails extending an existing hydro-economic multi-agent model with high-resolution hydrological and remote sensing data to assess water use trade-offs, conducting scenario simulations co-defined with local and national stakeholders, and participating in a research stay at one of our partner institutes.
Closing date for applications:  • Location: Leipzig PhD Researcher (f/m/x) “Urban water demand peaks and water saving behavior under droughts, heatwaves, and compound events”
As part of the junior research group “navigate”, the PhD position investigates the development of urban water demand peaks under droughts, heatwaves, and compound events, and the role of individual incentives, collective identity, and scarcity awareness to promote water conservation measures. To this end, the position combines econometrics, behavioral science, and natural language processing. The PhD project entails designing and conducting household surveys with the support of a professional survey institute, collaborating with local and national stakeholders, and participating in a research stay at one of our partner institutes.
» JOB OFFERS