With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

The Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) is a German-Polish research center for data-intensive digital systems research.

The Department of Dynamics of Complex Living Systems is looking for a PhD Student (f/m/d) Complex Systems Approaches to Dryland Resilience.

Your tasks

• Develop new precursors of phase transitions in living systems focusing on water-limited ecosystems
• Analyze vegetation spatiotemporal correlations close to desertification transitions in simulated data
• Test precursor accuracy in remote-sensing data

Your profile

• Completed university studies (Master or Diploma) in the field of Physics, Applied Mathematics or related field
• Knowledge of dynamical systems and network theory
• Previous knowledge of pattern formation theory and of Bayesian inference methods is a plus
• Previous programming experience in Python is desired
• Interested in collaborative work and ability of working in a team
• Strong communication skills
• Interest in inter-disciplinary research
• Fluent in written and spoken English

Our offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities under the supersivion from CASUS and Prof. Dr. Viola Priesemann from Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here (https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=1908)
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
• An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"

At HZDR, we promote and value diversity among our employees. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds regardless of gender, ethnic and social origin, belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

Organization unit: CASUS (https://www.hzdr.de/FWU)

Place of work/ Working hours: Görlitz 29,25 h/week

Hire date: 1 December 2025

Limitation: 36 months

For any questions, do not hesitate to ask: Dr. Ricardo Martinez Garcia Tel.: +49 3581 37523 105

Deadline: 27 October 2025

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.

Bereitgestellt in Kooperation mit der Bundesagentur für Arbeit.